Evaluation of the energy dissipation capacity of a steel damper

This paper demonstrates the evaluation of the energy dissipation capacity of a steel damper made from mild steel plates through performing a finite element analysis simulating cyclic loading. Results aimed to obtain the damper characteristics incorporated in retrofitting frames to increase their seismic resistance and energy dissipation. The analysis has well captured the damper energy dissipation capacity and the effective stiffness. Results showed that stresses were concentrated on the diaphragm plate since it is the weakest part of the damper and where the failure is expected to occur. Also, the diaphragm plate was the first segment of the damper to yield and enter the plastic ranges.