Optimum steel frame design through ultimate seismic energy dissipation of double diagonal friction dampers

In this paper, a creative design methodology is exhibited to attain seismic design optimization of steel frames that are equipped with double diagonal braces on which Pall friction dampers (PFDs) are mounted. The PFDs supply highest seismic energy dissipation to a structure for restricting destructive structural responds. Hence, the PFDs provide elastic movement to the steel frames to avoid the damaging consequence of an earthquake. To achieve this, the seismic energy dissipation over PFDs mounted on double diagonal brace members are tried to be maximized in this study. The Kobe earthquake record is used for conducting nonlinear dynamic time-history analyses to acquire structural responses of the steel frames. The Jaya algorithm (JA) that is a gradient- and parameter-free metaheuristic optimization technique is selected as an optimizer. The design algorithm encoded in MATLAB is integrated with SAP2000 structural analysis program through inbuilt open application programming interface (OAPI) functions to achieve simultaneous structural seismic responses. In proposed design methodology, firstly the optimal designs of steel frame structures without implementing double diagonal friction dampers are accomplished under effect of seismic loading exposed to structural design constraints of stress, displacement, drift, and geometric taken from AISC-ASD structural specifications. Then, the double diagonal friction dampers are implemented in the optimally sized frames to determine optimum yield strengths which are frictional slip loads. Hereby, the JA makes certain the dissipated seismic energy as maximum by checking the yield strength between the frame stories. In the end, it is verified that the PFD mounted double diagonal friction dampers provide maximum seismic energy dissipation throughout the steel frame structures for optimal sizing.