Seismic Retrofitting of Tall Steel Buildings Using Modern Viscous, Frictional and Yield Dampers

Mohammad Hossein Ghasemi¹ Morteza Raissi Dehkordi² Sana Bozorgi³

1) MSc, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran
2) Associate Professor, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran
3) PhD Student, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran

IOI Code : ABGZ-ABHFGB
Publication : The third international conference on new approaches in engineering and basic sciences(icnabs.ir)
Abstract :
    Tall steel buildings require retrofitting strategies that simultaneously control displacement, force, acceleration and permanent deformation due to the significant contribution of higher modes, sensitivity to P–Δ effects, concentration of relative floor displacements, acceleration demand of non-structural components and difficulty of post-earthquake repair. The aim of this paper is to critically evaluate and compare three families of modern viscous fluid, frictional, and metallic yielding dampers and to develop a selection and design framework for tall steel buildings. The research method is a structured review and validity analysis of reliable sources published from 2020 to July 2026; in this process, laboratory, numerical, and review articles as well as ASCE/SEI 7-22, ASCE/SEI 41-23, ANSI/AISC 341-22, and ANSI/AISC 342-22 standards were reviewed. The findings show that viscous dampers are suitable for simultaneously reducing drift and acceleration without appreciable increase in initial stiffness; however, force capacity, stroke, temperature, fluid leakage, and property uncertainty must be explicitly controlled. Friction dampers have stable rings and are reusable, but the change in friction coefficient, prestressing force, and permanent drift are its critical points. The metallic yielding damper is economical, manufacturable, and replaceable, and with capacity design, can concentrate damage at the fuse, but low-cycle fatigue, localized buckling, overstrength, and the need for post-earthquake inspection or replacement are critical. The main conclusion is that no technology is absolutely superior; in steel towers, height distribution based on modal sensitivity, simultaneous control of transient and permanent indices, and in many projects, combining viscous damper with a self-centering system or replaceable yielding fuse provides a more robust and resilient solution.

Keywords : tall steel building seismic retrofitting viscous fluid damper friction damper