Earthquake Simulator Testing of a Steel Model Seismically Protected with Friction Energy Dissipators

In this research the study of an experimental reduced scale steel model of a medium-rise building structure is presented. The model was dynamically protected with energu dissipators installed on rigidization diagonals. These devices are passive control elements able to reduce the earthquake forces in buildings. The energy dissipators utilized in the experimental test principally involve the steel-steel friction to dissipate energy ant to lower the seismic response. When the structure understory drifts the devices dissipate energy increasing the damping of the structure.