An Innovative Model to Determine Damping Ratio based on an Experimental Test during Collision

Abstract

This study investigates the damping ratio to evaluate impact force and energy absorption during collisions between adjacent buildings under seismic excitation. Experimental tests using different balls and varying heights were conducted to calculate impact velocity. The case of pounding is carried experimentally out and numerically studied based on an experimental test by using different balls and various heights in order to fall and calculate impact velocity. For this challenge, special element is numerically considered which is included to have spring and dashpot. The stiffness of spring and damping ratio of dashpot needs to be accurately calculated for determining impact value and dissipated energy. The cogency of calculation the value of damping ratio is investigated by defining an impact that is basically described and mathematically simulated with a nonlinear viscoelastic model. Using energy role, energy absorption is calculated, and energy dissipation is estimated. Finally, a new equation of motion in field of damping ratio is approximately suggested, and the accuracy of the formula is numerically confirmed and also compared with the results of experimental analyses. For instance, the results of comparison show a 6% error between numerical study and experimental test. In order to investigate the results of evaluation and compare with other equations and experimental test, another study is generally carried out, which describes same peak impact force about 1192 kN in all various results. Finally, different situations by using various parameters are considered to describe the effect of suggested equation.