Passive Energy Dissipating Devices

The passive control system does not require an external power source and uses the structural
motion to dissipate seismic energy and isolates the vibrations so that response of structure can be
controlled.

Types of Passive Devices

The most common types of passive devices are
1) Metallic Yield Dampers
2) Friction Dampers
3) Viscoelastic Dampers
4) Viscous Fluid Dampers
5) Tuned Mass Dampers And Tuned Liquid Dampers

1) Metallic Yield Dampers

Metallic yield damper: relies on the principle that the metallic device deforms plastically, thus
dissipating vibratory energy

Schematic diagram
2) Friction Dampers:
Friction dampers dissipate energy via sliding friction across the interface between two solid
bodies. Examples of such dampers include slotted-bolted dampers wherein a series of steel plates

are bolted together with a specified clamping force.At the sliding interface between the steel
plates, special materials may be utilized to promote stable coefficients of friction.

Schematic diagram
3) Viscoelastic Dampers
Viscoelastic solid dampers generally consist of solid elastomeric pads viscoelastic material
bonded to steel plates. The steel plates are attached to the structure within chevron or diagonal
bracing. As one end of the damper displaces with respect to the other, the viscoelastic material is
sheared resulting in the development of heat which is dissipated to the environment. By their
very nature, viscoelastic solids exhibit both elasticity and viscosity. Viscoelastic (VE) dampers
utilize high damping from VE materials to dissipate energy through shear deformation. Such
materials include rubber, polymers, and glassy substances

Schematic diagram

4) Viscous Fluid Dampers:

Dampers consist of a hollow cylinder filled with fluid, the fluid typically being silicone based.
As the damper piston rod and piston head are stroked, fluid is forced to flow through orifices
either around or through the piston head. The resulting differential in pressure across the piston
head very high pressure on the upstream side and very low pressure on the downstream side can
produce very large forces that resist the relative motion of the damper.

Schematic diagram
5) Tuned Mass Dampers:
Movement of the floor excites the pendulum. The relative motion of the pendulum produces a
horizontal force that opposes the floor motion. It is tuned to reduce vibration for given frequency
range. Damper takes up vibratory energy leaving the building almost static.

Schematic diagram

6) Tuned Liquid Dampers:

Tuned liquid dampers are similar to tuned mass dampers except that the mass-spring-damper
system is replaced by the container filled with fluid.

Schematic diagram