Design of Seismic Retrofitting Using Viscous Dampers: A Case Study from a School Building

In this study, performance of viscous dampers as an alternative retrofitting technique in a building is evaluated. Büyük Halkalı Primary School Building in İstanbul is considered as a case study. The building was constructed in 1997 and retrofitted in 2006 using conventional methods. In 2019, the building was reassessed according to the Turkish Building Seismic Code (TBDY-2018) and strengthening was achieved by additional shear walls. In this study, different from the previous approach, directivity effects of the ground motion were also considered in addition to the code specific design spectrum. Nonlinear time-history analyses were performed according to TBDY-2018. The retrofit design aimed to enhance the building's seismic performance and reduce potential damage during a seismic event. The design included the installation of seismic dampers, which are devices that dissipate seismic energy and reduce the building's response to ground motion. The seismic dampers were strategically placed to control the building's response to seismic forces and limit the structural damage. Both retrofit options (conventional method and the viscous dampers alternative) were compared in terms of cost, serviceability, architectural benefits, and construction time.