Toggle Brace Dampers: A New Concept for Structural Control

It is generally recognized that structures having high rigidity can be characterized as having relatively small displacements when a seismic transient or wind loading is applied. These small deflections are such that the implementation of added damping components has proven to be difficult. Research was performed combining fluid dampers with a simple mechanical toggle brace assembly that magnifies the small displacement of the structure, while simultaneously producing the required damping force. Test results are provided with the toggle braces and fluid dampers installed on a 14,500 kg structure, subjected to seismic ground motion transients on a large seismic shake table.