Simple Method for Pushover Curves of Asymmetric Structure

with Displacement-Dependent Passive Energy Dissipation

Devices

Santiago Naranjo
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, USA, 32611
2800 SW Williston Road #1036
Gainesville, FL, USA, 32608
snp1984@ufl.edu

Mentor: Dr. Li Hong-Nan, Li Gang

State Key Laboratory of Costal and Offshore Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering
Dalian University of Technology
Dalian, Liao Ning, China, 116023

Abstract: This paper presents a simple method to calculate pushover curves for
asymmetric structure with displacement-dependent passive energy dissipation devices
(DDPEDDs). The method analyzes the deformation of a symmetric structure in
translation and in torsion. These results are then combined in order to calculate the
pushover curve for an asymmetric structure with DDPEDDs. The numerical results
obtained by using the simple analysis method are then compared to the results obtained
from the analysis of the models using the software SAP2000. The results show that the
simple analysis method can be an effective tool for engineering analysis.

Introduction

The technique of passive energy dissipation has been rapidly growing and it is now
widely used in many parts of the world. This technique reduces the structure response
subjected to wind and earthquake through mounting energy dissipation devices into the
buildings (Soong 1997). Contrary to semi-active and active systems, there is no need for
an external supply of power. In recent years, variable kinds of dampers have been studied
by several researchers and serious efforts have been undertaken to develop the concept of
energy dissipation or supplemental damping into a workable technology (Li 2003). A
number of these devices, such as passive metallic yielding, visco-elastic, and viscous
energy dissipation devices have been installed in structures throughout the world (Soong
1997). The primary objective of adding energy dissipation systems to building frames has
been to focus the energy dissipation during an earthquake into disposable elements
specifically designed for this purpose, and to substantially reduce energy dissipation in
the gravity-load-resisting frame. Moreover, since energy dissipation devices are not part
of the gravity-load-resisting frame they can easily be replaced after an earthquake without
compromising the structural integrity of the frame. Two different types of passive energy
dissipation systems include the displacement dependent damper and the velocity
dependent damper (Code 2001). Due to the material presented here, this paper will focus
on displacement dependent dampers, i.e. metallic and friction dampers.
The pushover analysis method, as a foundation for performance-based design has
attracted the interest of many researchers. Regarding the pushover analysis procedure of
regular structures, there are two widely used methods, i.e. FEMA273 (Federal 1996) and
ATC-40 (ATC 1996). These methods are used by most engineers as a standard tool for
estimating seismic demands for buildings, because they analyze the progress of the
pushover method numerically. The non-linear static pushover analysis is a simple option
for estimation the strength capacity in the post-elastic range. This procedure involves
applying a predefined lateral load pattern that is distributed along the building height.
These methods are considered to be better than other methods such as using linear
analysis and ductility-modified response spectra, because they are based on a more
accurate estimate of the distributed yielding within a structure, rather than an assumed,
uniform ductility. The generation of the pushover curve also provides the engineer with a
good feel for the non-linear behavior of the structure under lateral load. However, it is
important to remember that pushover methods have no rigorous theoretical basis, and
may be inaccurate if the assumed load distribution is incorrect. For example, the use of a
load pattern based on the fundamental mode shape may be inaccurate if higher modes are
significant, and the use of any fixed load pattern may be unrealistic if yielding is not
uniformly distributed, so that the stiffness profile changes as the structure yields.
In order to extend the pushover analysis into more areas of application, various
researchers have studied the pushover method for asymmetric structures. Kilar and Fajfar
(1997) present a simple method for the non-linear static analysis of complex buildings
subjected to monotonically increasing horizontal loading. Their method is designed to be
a part of new methodologies for the seismic design and evaluation of structures. It is
based on the extension of a pseudo-three-dimensional mathematical model of a building
structure into the non-linear range. The structure consists of planar macro elements. For
each planar macro element, a simple bilinear or multi linear base shear-top displacement
relationship is assumed. Furthermore, Chopra and Goel (2004) developed a modal
pushover analysis based on the structural dynamics theory and extended this method to
asymmetric–plan buildings. In this method, the seismic demand due to individual terms
in the modal expansion of the effective earthquake forces is determined by non-linear
static analysis using the inertia force distribution for each mode, which for asymmetric
buildings includes two lateral forces and torque at each floor level. At last, by the CQC
rule to obtain an estimate of the total seismic demand for structure Barros and Almeida
(2005) simplify the process for the static non-linear dynamic response of a structure,
utilizing a load pattern proportional to the shape of the fundamental mode of vibration of
the structure. In this paper, a simple method to calculate pushover curves for asymmetric
structure with DDPEDDs is presented.

Basic Theory

Asymmetric structures are characterized for having their center of stiffness and center
of mass located in different positions. Due to this characteristic, it is rather complex to
analyze the effect of lateral forces on such structures because the structure will react both
in torsion and translation to such forces. In this paper, a simple method for calculating the
effect of lateral loads on an asymmetric structure with DDPEDDs is presented. Such
technique relies on decomposing the deformation of an asymmetric structure into
translation and torsion on symmetric structures and then combining the results. Related
basic theory is introduced as follows.

Structural Deformation
In order to analyze the deformation of an asymmetric structure (3-D) under lateral
loading, two reactions, translation and rotation for a symmetric structure (2-D), need to
be taken into consideration.
Torsion effects have a considerable impact on the response of a structure reacting to
lateral loading as shown in Fig 1. Furthermore, this shows the importance of taking
rotational effects on asymmetric structures into consideration for engineering analysis.

Fig 1 shows the difference on the pushover curve after taking torsion effects into
consideration

The deformation imposed on an asymmetric structure due to lateral loading can be

calculated by the following method. First, calculate the translational effect of the lateral
loading on a planar symmetric structure. Second, calculate rotational effects on the planar
symmetric structure by applying torques on the structure. Finally, combine both effects as
shown in Fig 2 to obtain the effect that the loading would have on an asymmetric
structure.

(a) Combined effect of asymmetric (b) Translation of symmetric (c) Torsion of symmetric

Fig 2 simple method for estimating the effect of an earthquake on an asymmetric

structure
Dynamic Analysis of Asymmetric Structure
Equations of asymmetric structure with DDPEDDs:
The equation of motion for the multiple degrees of freedom, MDOF, structures with
passive energy dissipative devices can be written as

[M ]{U&&}+ [C ]{U& }+ [K ]{U }+ {F } = −[M ][R]{U&&g } (1)

where [M ] 、 [C ] and [K ] represent the mass, damping, and stiffness matrices

respectively, while {F } symbolizes a matrix of force offered by DDPEDDs. Furthermore,
the vectors {U&&}, {U& } and {U } represent the acceleration, velocity and displacement
respectively. Moreover, these parameters are defined as vector quantities i.e.
{U } = {u , v,θ } ，where u ， v ， θ represent the magnitude of the displacement in the
( )
different directions. In addition U&& represents the acceleration contributed by the
g

{ } {
earthquake, and [R] represents a matrix of units. Finally, U&&g = u&&g , v&&g ,θ&&g } represents
T

the acceleration contributed by the earthquake.

The matrices for the different parameters are shown below

⎡ [K ]x [ K ] xy [ K ] xθ ⎤
⎡ [ m] [ 0] [m][Ym ] ⎤ ⎢ ⎥
⎢
[ M ] = ⎢ [0] [ m] [m][ X m ]⎥⎥ ， [ K ] = ⎢[ K ] yx [K ]y [ K ] yθ ⎥ ，
⎢⎣− [Ym ][m] [ X m ][m] [ J 0 ] ⎥⎦ ⎢ [ K ]θ x [ K ]θ y [ K ]θ ⎥⎦
⎣

⎡[I ] [0] − [Ym ]⎤ ⎧ Fx ⎫

[R] = ⎢⎢[0] [I ] [X m ] ⎥⎥ , {F } = ⎪⎨Fy ⎪⎬
⎢⎣[0] [0] [0] ⎥⎦ ⎪T ⎪
⎩ θ⎭

where [X m ] and [Ym ] represent matrices of the distance between the center of mass and
the center of stiffness for the different floors. In addition, [I ] = [1 1 1] represents a unit
T

matrix, and [ J 0 ] represents the moment of inertia of the structure. Moreover,

J 0 j = m j ( r j2 + X mj2 + Ymj2 ) represents the moment of inertia of the j floor with r j being the
th

shortest distance between the center of mass and the center of stiffness,

Basic period and shape of asymmetric structure:

The first step in order to find the basic period and shape of the asymmetric structure
consists in finding the angular frequency, ω , from Eq. (2a)

[K ] − ω 2 [M ] = 0 (2a)
{[K ] − ω 2 [M ]}{φ } = {0} (2b)

Consequently, the value obtained for ω is used to calculate the basic period of oscillation
 2π
of the structure by using the relationship T =
ω
, where [T ] = Tx [
denotes a Ty Tθ ]
T

vector quantity. Furthermore, after obtaining the basic period and angular frequency, the
interstory drift of the structure can be calculated by using Eq. (2b).

[φ ] = [[φ x ] [φ y ] [φθ ]]
Convert to equivalent SDOF system:
The displacement of the floors of the structure is given by

{U (t )} = [φ ]{q(t )} (3)

where {q} = [q1 , q2 ,L, q3 N ] is a vector dimension coordinate and [φ ] is a matrix

T

describing interstory drift displacement. Moreover, the motion equation for the structure
is given by

[M ][φ ]{q&&(t )} + [C ][φ ]{q& (t )}+ [K ][φ ]{q(t )} = −[M ][R]{U&&g (t )}− {F } (4)

Following, the motion equation corresponding to the i th modal is

[M ][φi ]{q&&i (t )}+ [C ][φi ]{q&i (t )}+ [K ][φi ]{qi (t )} = −[M ][R]{U&&g (t )}− {Fi } (5)

This equation can also be written as

⎡ [m] [0] − [m][Ym ]⎤⎡{φxi }⎤ ⎡ [K ]x [K ]xy [K ]xθ ⎤ ⎡{φxi }⎤

⎢ [0]
⎢ [m] [m][X m ] ⎥⎢{φyi }⎥q&&i + [C]{φi }q&i + ⎢⎢[K ] yx [K ] y
⎥ ⎢ ⎥ ⎥
[K ] yθ ⎥ ⎢⎢{φ yi }⎥⎥qi
⎢⎣− [Ym ][m] [X m ][m] [J 0 ] ⎥⎦⎢⎣{φθi }⎥⎦ ⎢[K ]θx [K ]θy
⎣ [K ]θ ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣{φθi }⎥⎦
(6a)
⎡ [m] [0] − [m][Ym ]⎤⎡[I ] [0] [Ym ] ⎤⎧u&&g ⎫ ⎧[Fxi ]⎫
⎢
= ⎢ [0] [m] [m][X m ] ⎥⎥⎢⎢[0] [I ] [X m ]⎥⎥⎪⎨v&&g ⎪⎬ − ⎪⎨[Fyi ]⎪⎬
⎢⎣− [Ym ][m] [X m ][m] [J 0 ] ⎥⎦⎢⎣[0] [0] [0] ⎥⎦⎪⎩φ&&g ⎪⎭ ⎪⎩[Fθi ]⎪⎭

Disregarding the torsion vector inputted by the earthquake，i.e. φ&&g = 0 and assuming
that [C ]{φ } = [{Cu } {Cv } {Cθ }] , equation (6) can then be written as follows
 ⎡ [m]{φxi }− [m][Ym ]{φθi } ⎤ ⎡{Cu }⎤ ⎡[K ]xx {φxi } + [K ]xy {φ yi }+ [K ]xθ {φθi }⎤
⎢
⎢ [m]{φ yi }− [m][X m ]{φθi } ⎥q&&i + ⎢{Cv }⎥q&i + ⎢[K ]yx {φxi } + [K ]yy {φ yi }+ [K ]yθ {φθi }⎥qi
⎥ ⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎢[X m ][m]{φ yi }− [Ym ][m]{φxi } + [J 0 ]{φθi }⎥ ⎢⎣{Cθ }⎥⎦ ⎢ [K ]θx {φxi } + [K ]θy {φ yi }+ [K ]θ {φθi } ⎥
⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
(6b)
⎡ [m][I ]u&&g − [Fxi ] ⎤
=⎢
⎢
[ ]
[m][I ]v&&g − Fyi ⎥
⎥
⎢− [Ym ][m][I ]u&&g + [X m ][m][I ]v&&g − [Fθi ]⎥
⎣ ⎦

Furthermore, assuming that [m]{φi } = [[mu ] [m v ] [mθ ]]T and that

[K ]{φi } = [[K u ] [K v ] [Kθ ]]T , Eq. (6b) can then be divided into three equations as
shown below

[mu ]q&&i + [Cu ]q& i + [K u ]qi = [m][I ]u&&g − [Fxi ] (7a)

[mv ]q&&i + [Cv ]q&i + [K v ]qi = [m][I ]v&&g − [Fyi ] (7b)
[mθ ]q&&i + [Cθ ]q&i + [Kθ ]qi = −[Ym ][m][I ]u&&g + [X m ][m][I ]v&&g − [Fθi ] (7c)

Now, multiplying the left and right hand side of Eq. (7a) by {φ xi } gives
T

{φ xi }T [mu ]q&&i + {φ xi }T [Cu ]q& i + {φ xi }T [K u ]qi = {φ xi }T [m][I ]u&&g {φ xi }T − {φ xi }T [Fxi ] (8)

Moreover, assuming that qi = Γx q xi and solving for Γx gives

Γx =
{φ xi }T [m][I ] = {φ xi }T [m][I ]
(9)
{φ xi }T [mu ] {φ xi }T [m]{φ xi }− {φ xi }T [m][Ym ]{φθi }
Finally, Eq. (8) can be re-written for the X direction as follows

M x* q&&xi + C x* q& xi + K x* q xi = M x*u&&g − [Fxi ] (10)

where,
M x* = {φ xi } [m][I ]
T
(11a)
C x* = {φ xi } [Cu ]Γx
T
(11b)
K x* = {φ xi } [K u ]Γx
T
(11c)

Likewise, the motion equation for the Y direction and angle θ can be re-written as

[ ]
M *y q&&yi + C *y q& yi + K y* q yi = M *y u&&g − Fyi (12a)
where，
M y* = {φ yi } [m][I ]
T
(12a)
C *y = {φ yi } [C v ]Γy
T
(12b)
K *y = {φ yi } [K v ]Γy
T
(12c)
and

M θ* q&&yi + Cθ* q&θi + K θ* qθi = M θ*u&&g − [Tθi ] (13)

where，
M θ* = {φθi } [m][I ]
T
(13a)
Cθ = {φθi } [Cθ ]Γθ
* T
(13b)
Kθ = {φθi } [Kθ ]Γθ
* T
(13c)

Simple Pushover Analysis Method

The simple method described in this section is used for asymmetric structures with
DDPEDDs; where the structural parameters i.e. interstory stiffness and interstory yield
displacement, have known values.

For structures with DDPEDDs in 2-D

In order to calculate the pushover curve for a structure under lateral loading,
symmetric structures with DDPEDDs are simplified into 2-D (planar structure). In this
section, a method developed by Oscar Ramirez is introduced in order to find a pushover
curve relating the roof displacement with the shear stress at the base of the structure.
The analysis method developed by Ramirez (2000) is based on calculating the
coordinates of a couple of significant points that will help create an estimate for the
pushover curve. The different points that need to be calculated A, B, C , D can be seen in
Fig. 3. In this figure, the dashed line is defined by points A and B . Point A is defined to
be the point where all the DDPEDDs have yielded.

Fig 3 Displacement pushover curve

 Moreover, point B is defined to be the point where all the structural elements have
yielded. After defining points A and B , the multi-line can be obtained. Referring to
FEMA273, the tri-linear curve is converted to the bi-linear curve by defining points C
and D. The following sections describe how to calculate all of the defining points.

Calculating point A :
(1) Define the DDPEDDs yielding displacement to be Δ yj
(2) Consider that a frame with displacement DDPEDDs is pushed laterally by loads that
are proportional to the first mode resulting in displacement Di . The displacement of
floor Di in the X direction can be related to the roof displacement by Di = φ x ,i ⋅ Droof .
Now it is shown that φ x , 0 = 0 and that the structure has a modal drift φ x , j in the X
direction at the j th floor. Accordingly the interstory drift of a structure in the j th
floor in the X direction can be written as
Δ j = D j − D j −1 = (φ x , j − φ x , j −1 )Droof = φ x ,rj Droof , where [φ x ] is the modal drift matrix of
the structure in the X direction .Here, the displacement of the roof when yielding of
the devices at level j occurs can be expressed as

Δj
Droofyj =
φ x ,rj
When all the DDPEDDs have yielded, it can be assumed that Δ j = Δ yj At this point
the displacement of the roof can be defined as the maximum value of the
displacement obtained by the equation above

⎛ Δ yj ⎞
D yd = max⎜ ⎟ (14)
j ⎜φ ⎟
⎝ x ,rj ⎠

(3) To obtain the base shear of the building when all the damping devices yielded, use the
following equation
⎛ 4π 2 ⎞ ⎛ D yd ⎞
Vd + K f D yd = ⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ ⋅ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⋅Wx1 (15)
⎝ gTx1 ⎠ ⎝ Γx1 ⎠

where Tx1 is the fundamental period of translation of the system in X direction , Γx 1

is the first modal participation factor of translation of the system in the X direction
and Wx1 is the first modal weight of translation of the system in the X direction.

Calculating point B :
(1) The base shear strength of the system, V is equal to the sum of the yield strength of
the frame, V y , and the strength of the devices in the first floor , Vd 1 , when yielding of
both the frame and the devices occurs
V = V y + Vdl (16)
(2)To find the roof displacement at point B , D yf , use the following equations

Δ yf , j = D yf , j − D yf , j −1

⎛ Δ yf , j ⎞ ⎛Δ ⎞
D yf = max⎜ ⎟ = max⎜ yf , j ⎟ (17)
j ⎜Φ ⎟ j ⎜Φ ⎟
⎝ x , j − Φ x , j −1 ⎠ ⎝ x ,rj ⎠

where, [Φ x ] represents the modal drift of the frame of the structure. Furthermore,
D yf , j and Δ yf , j represent the yielding displacement and interstory yielding
displacement of the structural elements at the j th floor. Finally, Φ x, j refers to the
amplitude of the basic modal in the X direction at the j th floor.

Calculating point C :
After obtaining points A and B , a pushover curve can be developed. The effective
initial stiffness of the equivalent elasto-plastic representation can be defined as the slope
of the straight line that intersects the tri-linear curve a the base shear equal to bV , where
b = 0.6 . Knowing that point C has to be on line AB, the roof displacement for this point
can be easily obtained.

Calculating point D :
After obtaining point C , line OC can be created. In order to find point D , line OC is
extended up. Point D is then positioned at a base shear stress equal to the one obtained
for point B and laying on line OC .

Torsion energy spectrum of symmetric structure with DDPEDDs

In this section, a method similar to the one presented above will be used in order to
calculate the reaction of the symmetric structure with DDPEDDs under the application of
a moment force. By using this method, a graph of the torsion at the base versus the angle
of the roof M − θ will be obtained. As shown in Fig 4, the pushover curve will be

Fig 4 Torsion curve

defined through making use of points E , F , G , H .

Calculating point E :
(1) Define Δ yj to be the DDPEDDs yielding angle. From this it can be shown that the
angle difference between two different floors is
Δ
θ yj = yj (18)
rd
where rd is defined to be the distance from the damper to the center of stiffness.
(2) Define [φθ ] to be the modal torsion of the structure. The angle at any given floor θ i
can be related to the angle of the roof by the relationship θ i = φθ ,i ⋅ θ roof , where
φθ , 0 = 0 and φθ , j is the modal torsion of the structure. Furthermore, at the j th floor
the interstory angle difference can be found by using the equation
Ω j = θ j − θ j −1 = (φθ , j − φθ , j −1 )θ roof = φθ ,rjθ roof . Here, the angle of the roof when
yielding occurs at the j th floor can be expressed as
Ω
θ roofyj = j
φθ ,rj

When all of the damping devices have yielded the angle of the roof can be defined as
the maximum value of the angle obtained by the equation above

⎛ Ω yj ⎞
θ yd = max⎜⎜ ⎟
⎟
(19)
j φ
⎝ θ ,rj ⎠

(3) In order to find the torque at the base at the moment where all of the damping devices
have yielded, the following equation should be used

⎛ 4π 2 ⎞ ⎛ θ yd ⎞
M d + K tf θ yd = ⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ ⋅ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⋅ Wθ 1 (20)
⎝ gTθ 1 ⎠ ⎝ Γ1 ⎠

where Tθ 1 represents the fundamental period of torsion, Γθ 1 represents the first modal
participation factor of the torsion and Wθ 1 represents the first modal weight of the
system.

Calculating point F :
(1) The torsion at the base of the system, M is equal to the sum of the torsion of the
yield strength of the frame, M y , and the torsion strength of the devices in the first
story M dl , when yielding of both the frame and the devices occur; that is
M = M y + M dl (21)
(2) Based on the structure without passive devices, the yield angle at point F and the
modal shape can be calculated using the following formulas

Ω yf , j = θ yf , j − θ yf , j −1
⎛ Ω yf , j ⎞ ⎛Ω ⎞
θ yf = max⎜⎜ ⎟ = max⎜ yf , j ⎟ (22)
j
⎝ Φ x, j − Φ x , j −1 ⎟⎠ j ⎜ Φ
⎝ x ,rj
⎟
⎠

where, θ yf , j and Ω yf , j represent the yielding angle and interstory angle of the
structure without passive devices at the j th floor. Moreover, Φ θ , j refers to the basic
torsion modal amplitude at the j th floor.

Calculating point G :
After obtaining points E , F a pushover curve can be developed for the torque at the
base floor against the angle of the roof, M − θ . The effective initial stiffness of the
equivalent elasto-plastic representation can be defined as the slope of the straight line that
intersects the tri-linear curve a the base shear equal to bV , where b = 0.6 . After
obtaining the value for the base torsion, a value for the angle can be obtained by using the
fact that point G is located on line EF .

Calculating point H :
After obtaining point G , line OG can be created. In order to find point H , line OG
is extended up. Point H is then positioned at a base shear stress equal to the one obtained
for point F and laying on line OG .

Convert M − θ curve to P − Δ curve :

In order to convert the torsion pushover curve into a translation curve, the following
equations should be used. These equations will convert torques ( M ) into forces ( F ) and
angles ( θ ) into displacements ( Δ ).
M = F × Xm (23a)
M = F × Ym (23b)
Δ =θ × Xm (23c)
Δ = θ × Ym (23d)
Where X m and Ym represent the displacement of the center of stiffness and the
center of mass in the X direction and Y direction respectively.

Combining the P − Δ curves

After obtaining the torsion and translation pushover curves shown in Fig 5a and Fig
5b, the following equations can be used in order to find point Q which will then help
create a pushover curve that takes both the translation and torsion effects into
consideration.
 F = K1Δ1 Δ1 ≤ X 1
F = K2Δ2 Δ2 ≤ X 2

where K1 and K 2 stand for the slope of the torsion and translation pushover curves
respectively as shown in Fig 5.
K + K2
Δ = Δ1 + Δ 2 = 1 F
K1 K 2

Δ Δ ≤ min( X 1 , X 2 )
K1 K 2
F=
K1 + K 2

⎧ X = min( X 1 , X 2 )
⎪
Q=⎨ K1 K 2 (24)
P= X
⎪⎩ K1 + K 2

After point Q has been found, it is plotted on a graph. Next, lines are drawn from
point Q to the origin and from point Q into the positive X direction as shown in Fig 5c to
create the simple method pushover curve.

(a) Torsion curve (b) 2-D translation curve (c) Translation and torsion curve

Fig 5 shows the different pushover curves

Procedure
The simple method for calculating asymmetric structure with displacement
dissipation devices can be outlined as follows:
(1) Calculate the structure parameters, i.e. interstory stiffness and torsional stiffness,
yield displacement and angle.
(2) Calculate the necessary points to find the curve of a planar structure utilizing the
method introduced in the preceding sections.
(3) Calculate the necessary points to find the curve for a structure under torsion by the
method explained in the preceding sections.
(4) Convert the M − θ curve to a P − Δ curve.
(5) Combine the two curves obtained on step (3) and (4) into a single curve. The curve
just obtained takes into consideration both translational and rotational effects.
Numerical example

Given information
This section provides all of the information necessary in order to calculate the
different points needed to build a pushover curve. First, in order to simplify the model,
the weight of each of the floors is considered to be concentrated in the center of mass of
the structure. Furthermore, the weight of each of the floors is given to be

W 1= W2 = W3 = W4 = 3000 KN , W 5= W6 = 1600 KN

Moreover, Table 1 shows the different parameters used for the dampers in all of the
six different floors.

Table 1 Provides the parameters for the damper

Metallic damper parameter
Floor Stiffness Yielding displacement Yielding force
(KN/mm) (mm) (KN)
1－2F 10.50 15.2 160
3－4F 7.85 15.2 120
5－6F 6.1 15.2 97

Furthermore, an appropriate model of the structure to be analyzed is provided in Fig

6. As can be seen in Fig 6b, the center of stiffness and the center of mass of this structure
are located in different positions, making it an asymmetric structure.

(a)3-D model (b)top view (c)side views

Fig 6 provides different views of the model

Calculations
Structural dynamics parameters:
Following the procedures described above, an example will be calculated. From
equation (2a), the direction X and angle θ of the structure can be calculated. Then, from
the specifications of the building, the fundamental period of oscillation is obtained to be
Tx1 = 1.184 s. Next, from the fundamental period, the modal translation drift is obtained
by using equation (2b).

[φ x ] = [1 0.91 0.78 0.61 0.41 0.22]

T

The fundamental period of oscillation of the structure in torsion is found to be

Tθ 1 = 1.934 s. By using equation (2b), the modal torsion drift can be obtained

[φθ ] = [1 0.95 0.86 0.75 0.55 0.37]

T

Moreover, equations (9), (11a), and (13a) can be used in order to find the different
parameters of the structure along the X ,θ directions.
First, considering the reactions along the X direction, it is found that the first modal
translation weight is W x1 = 26940 KN ，and that the fundamental period of translation is
Γx1 = 1.37
Secondly, considering the reactions along the angle θ , it is found that the first modal
torsion weight is Wθ 1 = 39100 KN .m ，and that the fundamental period of rotation is
Γθ 1 = 1.27

2-D curve:
In order to create a pushover curve for a planar symmetric structure, the procedures
described before are followed.
(1) Point A
Because the devices in the different floors have the same dimensions and are made of
the same materials, the yield displacement is the same in all the floors. The yield
displacement as shown in Table 1 is Δ yj = 15.3mm .
As stated above the fundamental period of oscillation in the X direction is
Tx1 = 1.184 S. Using this period the modal drift vector is found to be

[φ x ] = [1 0.91 0.78 0.61 0.41 0.22]

T

Moreover, the interstory modal drift vector is

[φ ] = [0.09
x ,r 0.13 0.17 0.20 0.19 0.22]
T

Using equation（14）and choosing the value at which the last metallic damper yields
 it is obtained that
⎛ Δ yj ⎞
D yd = max⎜ ⎟ = 69.7 mm
j ⎜φ ⎟
⎝ x ,rj ⎠

Then, by using equation（15）, the base shear stress when all of the damping devices
have yielded is found

⎛ 4π 2 ⎞ ⎛ D yd ⎞
Vd + K f D yd = ⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ ⋅ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⋅ Wx1 = 393.4 KN
⎝ gTx1 ⎠ ⎝ Γx1 ⎠

(2) Point B
The base shear stress when the damping devices and the frame have yielded is found
by using equation（16）

V = V y + Vdl = 430 + 320 = 750 KN

Then, the displacement of the roof at this point is found through the use of
equation（17）

⎛ Δ yf , j ⎞ ⎛Δ ⎞ 15.4
D yf = max⎜ ⎟ = max⎜ yf , j ⎟= = 220mm
j ⎜Φ ⎟ j ⎜Φ ⎟ 0.07
⎝ x , j − Φ x , j −1 ⎠ ⎝ x ,rj ⎠

(3) Point C
The base shear stress at this point is found to be Vc＝bV = 0.6 × 750＝450 KN . Then,
point C is positioned on line AB . Subsequently, the displacement of the roof at this
point is found to be D0＝95.2mm .

(4) Point D
Line OC is extended up until it reaches the same base shear stress as that for point
B . Point D is then located at a base shear stress of VD = V y + Vd 1 = 750 KN . Then the
roof displacement can be obtained by analyzing the graph and it is found to
be D y = 158.7 mm .

(5) Curve
Plotting all the points in a graph, the translation pushover curve is developed as
shown in Fig 7.
 Fig 7 Translation pushover curve

M − θ Curve:
(1) Point E
As shown in Table 1, the yield displacement of the structure is Δ yj = 15.2mm .
Furthermore, the angle difference between the floors is calculated from the yield
displacement and the distance from the damper to the center of stiffness
Δ
θ yj = yj = 0.007
rd
With the fundamental period of oscillation for the angle, θ , as Tθ 1 = 1.934 S，the
modal angle drift vector of the building is

[φθ ] = [1 0.95 0.86 0.75 0.55 0.37]

Moreover, the modal interstory angle drift is

[φθr ] = [0.05 0.09 0.11 0.20 0.18 0.36]

Using equation（19）and choosing the value at which the last metallic damper
yields, the angle of the roof is
⎛θ ⎞
θ yd = max⎜⎜ yj ⎟⎟ = 0.02
⎝ φθ ,rj ⎠
j

Then, by using equation（20）, the torque at the base when all of the damping
devices have yielded is found
⎛ 4π 2 ⎞ ⎛ θ yd ⎞
M d + K tf θ yd = ⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ ⋅ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⋅ Wθ 1 = 663563.6 KN ⋅ mm
⎝ gT θ 1 ⎠ ⎝ Γ1 ⎠
(2) Point F
The torque at the base when the damping devices and the frame of the structure have
yielded is found by using equation（21）

M = M y + M dl = 2172000 KN ⋅ mm
 Then, the angle of the roof at this point, θ yf is found by using equation（22）
⎛ Ω yf , j ⎞ ⎛Ω ⎞
θ yf = max⎜⎜ ⎟ = max⎜ yf , j ⎟ = 0.09
− Φ x , j −1 ⎟⎠ j ⎜ Φ ⎟
⎝ Φ x, j ⎝ x ,rj ⎠
j

(3) Point G
The torque at the base at this point is found to be
M G = bM = 0.6 × 2172000＝1303200KN . Then, point G is placed on line OG on the
M − θ curve. Subsequently, the angle of the roof at this point is found to be
θ 0 = 0.05 .
(4) Point H
Line OG is then extended up until reaching the same torque as that for point F .
Point H is then located at a torque of M H = 2172000KN .mm . The roof angle is then
found by analyzing the graph, and it is found to be θ y = 0.05 .
(5) M − θ curve
Plotting all of the points obtained, a torsion pushover curve is obtained as shown in
Fig 8.

Fig 8 Torsion pushover curve

(6) Convert the M − θ curve to a P − Δ curve

Using equations (23a)-(23d), the torsion pushover curve can be converted into a
translation pushover curve as shown in Fig 9.

Fig 9 P − Δ curve
Combine the curves:
Using equation（24）the values for point Q are found to be X = 150mm , and
P = 473.5KN . After finding point Q, a combined pushover curve can be created.

Compare to SAP2000 results

After obtaining the pushover curve for an asymmetric structure with passive energy
dissipative devices, analysis of the same structure by software SAP2000 can be used in
order to compare the results. SAP2000 was used in order to develop two different
pushover curves for a symmetric 2-D and an asymmetric 3-D structure as shown in Fig
10. Analyzing the figure, shows that 3-D Pushover analysis are crucial in order to
accurately predict the reaction of a structure under earthquake forces. Furthermore, the
pushover curve developed through SAP2000 is then compared to the pushover curve
obtained from the simple analysis method discussed in the previous sections as shown in
Fig 11. Comparing both curves shows that the simple method used to calculate the
pushover curve is very successful because it gives values very similar to those given by
SAP2000. So, this graph is the validation that the simple method can be used in order to
obtain a pushover curve for asymmetric buildings with passive energy dissipative
devices.

Fig 10 compares 2-D and 3-D pushover curves Fig 11 compares simple method with sap2000

Conclusion
The results indicate that the simple method explained in this paper in order to
calculate the pushover curve for asymmetric structures with DDPEDDs is capable of
accurately predicting the actual structural response of such structures. Furthermore, the
similarity between the results obtained from using the simple method and the results
obtained using the software SAP2000 proves the accuracy of the simple method at
predicting the effect that torsion and translation have on the response of the structure. In
conclusion, the simple method presented in this paper can be used in engineering analysis
in order to obtain very good estimates for pushover curves of asymmetric structures with
DDPEDDs.
Acknowledgments
This material is based on work supported by the Natinal Science Foundation
under Grant No. OISE-0229657. Any opinions, findings, and concludions expressed in
this material are those of the author and do not necessarrily reflect the views of the
National Science Foundation.

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