| Abstract: | The effectiveness of introducing Coulomb damping in structures to reduce seismic response is evaluated. Response characteristics of simple one-degree-of-freedom structures with sliding interfaces between the top slab and supporting frame and between the base and foundation are studied and compared. It is shown that, analytically, the top slab sliding system is a special case of the base sliding system. The slab sliding system is seen to offer certain advantages over the base sliding system inasmuch as it provides a more effective reduction in the lateral forces in the supporting frame as well as a better isolation of supported secondary systems, as depicted by a significantly reduced level of floor spectrum response. The analytical ease of predicting the response of the slab sliding system is also demonstrated. The required unobstructed sliding displacements seem to be reasonable except, may be, for flexible systems. The similarities and differences between the hysteretic and slab sliding systems are also highlighted by comparison of their response results. |
