Discussion on Calculation Method of Magnification Factor of Toggle-Brace-Viscous Damper

Abstract

At present, dampers are widely used in the field of energy dissipation in engineering structures. However, when the displacement and velocity output of dampers are not significant under small and medium-sized earthquakes, it is difficult for a damper to fully exert its energy dissipation capacity. The use of toggle-brace mechanisms in the structure is an effective method to solve the above problems, and the effect of toggle-brace-viscous dampers (referred to as TBVDs) in the structure can be reflected by a magnification factor (referred to as Mf). Therefore, it is particularly important to study the calculation method for the Mf of TBVD. Domestic and foreign scholars have achieved certain results in the study of the calculation method for the Mf of TBVD, and the corresponding calculation formula for the Mf has been proposed. Given the existing research results, this article conducts the following work: analyzing the shortcomings of existing methods for calculating the Mf of TBVD, proposing an improved method for calculating the Mf of viscous dampers, comparing the accuracy of existing and improved algorithms, and analyzing the calculation results to provide practical suggestions for engineering applications.

Keywords

• toggle-brace mechanisms
• magnification factor
• viscous damper
• geometric analysis method