ABSTRACT
Supplemental energy dissipation devices are often selected based on the fixed base response of structures. There is limited knowledge regarding the actual seismic performance of these buildings with regard to soil-structure interaction. This paper discusses the development and testing of miniature viscous dampers capable of fitting into structural models for dynamic centrifuge testing. An electromagnetic shaker was utilised to test the miniature dampers under high frequency small stroke conditions, similar to those expected during shaking in the centrifuge. Three damping fluids have been investigated; H68 oil, H32 oil, and water. Different piston stroke frequencies were applied for each of the fluids being tested. The miniature viscous dampers were successful in dissipating energies at small strokes. However, the damper setup seems to possess some inherent stiffness in addition to its viscous behaviour. Cavitation and entrapped air plays a critical role in limiting the effect of fluid viscosity on the damping behaviour for the small strokes and high frequencies being applied.
