Optimal damping between two adjacent elastic structures

The optimal values for the distribution of passive dampers interconnecting two adjacent structures of different heights are determined. The dampers are selected to minimize the seismic response in the first and second modes of the taller of the two structures. For simplicity, the structures are represented as uniform damped shear beams subjected to a common ground motion. Under certain conditions, apparent damping ratios as high as 12 and 15 per cent can be achieved in the first and second modes of lightly damped structures by the introduction of interconnection dampers. The largest reduction of the response in the first mode is achieved when the taller structure is about twice the height of the second structure. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.