Title: Study of rheological and geometrical impact on the nonlinear performance of fluid viscous dampers

Authors: Mohammed El-Mahdi Bouayad Agha; Abdelouahab Ras; Karim Hamdaoui

Addresses: EOLE, Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Technology, University of Tlemcen, Algeria ' EOLE, Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Technology, University of Tlemcen, Algeria ' EOLE, Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Technology, University of Tlemcen, Algeria

Abstract: The use of fluid viscous dampers (FVDs) to control the response of buildings tor dynamic loads is gaining acceptance worldwide. The aim of this study is to identify and optimise the design parameters that influence the FVDs nonlinear behaviour under sinusoidal excitation. To achieve this, a numerical model of the fluid flow within the damper, featuring a simple annular orifice geometry, was developed using the finite volume method. A novel approach was employed to simulate the elastic behaviour of the fluid, incorporating its compressibility with the use of Murnaghan equation of state. The proposed model's results were validated against experimental data, demonstrating satisfactory accuracy. A parametric study was then performed, varying parameters such as dimensions, geometric relationships between components and fluid properties. The findings reveal a relationship between the parameters governing the fluid's shear-thinning behaviour and the nonlinearity exponent, which decreases to 0.46 when combining specific geometric and rheological properties.

Keywords: seismic energy dissipation; fluid viscous damper; FVD; nonlinearity exponent; fluid shear thinning; finite volume method.

DOI: 10.1504/PCFD.2025.148788

Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal, 2025 Vol.25 No.5, pp.289 - 304

Accepted: 29 Nov 2024
Published online: 24 Sep 2025 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article