Modeling the Loss of Vibration Energy in Buildings to Elastic-waves Using High-fidelity FE Modeling and Absorbent Exterior Boundaries

ABSTRACT

The modeling of structural damping due to the excitation of elastic-waves into the surrounding soil domain, and its effect on structural response as apparent modal damping is explored herein. Four high-fidelity, linear finite-element models of building-site systems, with 20–50 storeys and 2–7 basement levels, are simulated in OpenSees to evaluate their frequency response. Radiation-damping is provided by a layer of high-damping elements, whose design is explored in detail. Results show that up to 1% of apparent, low-amplitude damping can be attributed to radiation-damping depending on number of stories and depth of embedment.

KEYWORDS:

• Radiation-damping
• damping
• high-fidelity modeling
• tall-buildings
• finite elements

Acknowledgments

The authors are very grateful for this support and that of researchers Francisco Ruz and Ian Watt.

Additional information

Funding

This research has been funded by CONICYT/Doctorado Nacional/2017 grant [N °21170446].