ABSTRACT
The behaviour of a particular class of SDOF and MDOF systems provided with viscous damping devices is studied in detail. The examined models respectively represent isolated bridges and multistorey buildings equipped with distributed floor isolation and energy dissipation devices. From the examination of the frequency response functions of the analysed systems, a new design procedure is developed which allows optimal selection of isolator stiffness and damping characteristics of viscous devices. The proposed procedure is finally applied and its efficacy is demonstrated through time history analyses to an isolated (Menshin) bridge and a multi-storey steel building.
