Optimum distribution of steel slit-friction hybrid dampers based on life cycle cost

This study investigated the seismic performance of a hybrid damper composed of a steel slit plate and friction pads, and an optimum retrofit scheme was developed based on life cycle cost. A sample hybrid damper was tested under cyclic loading to confirm its validity as a damping device and to construct its nonlinear analysis model. The effectiveness of the optimum damper distribution schemes was investigated by comparing the seismic fragility and the life cycle costs of the model structure before and after the retrofit. The test results showed that the damper behaved stably throughout the loading history. Numerical analysis results showed that the slit-friction hybrid dampers optimally distributed based on life cycle cost proved to be effective in minimizing the failure probability and the repair cost after earthquakes.