Application of a Passive Damper in Steel Shear Wall

Steel plate shear wall (SPSW) systems are utilized in steel structures as a lateral-force-resisting system in high seismicity zones for both new and retrofitted structures. SPSW can be more cost-effective compared to other lateral-force-resisting systems. In some structures, using a single lateral-force-resisting system would not be cost-effective. In these structures, damage control technologies with a high energy dissipation capacity can be used to reduce unexpected damages. The purpose of this study is to investigate the seismic behavior of a new lateral-force-resisting system, which is the combination of a Rubber-Steel Core Damper (R-SCD) and steel plate shear wall. The proposed damper is constituted with a layer of high damping rubber and some ductile bolts. This paper uses ABAQUS software to numerically examine the seismic performance of steel plate shear walls equipped with an R-SCD damper. The results showed that the proposed damper could perform as a fuse, protecting the main structural elements to be elastic and undamaged. The ultimate shear strength and energy absorption of the proposed system were reduced as the rubber thickness increased. In addition, damper performance was improved when more ductile steel cores were used.