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Fluid Viscous dampers

Fluid Viscous Dampers Can Protect Your Structure

Originally developed for NASA in the 1960s, fluid viscous dampers have successfully transitioned to the civil engineering community for use in protecting buildings, bridges and other structures worldwide. Fluid viscous dampers, or seismic dampers as they are sometimes referred to, are hydraulic devices that, when stroked, dissipate the energy placed on a structure by seismic events, wind buffering or thermal motion. The concept is simple – the viscous dampers convert the kinetic energy of the structural movement into heat and then dissipate that energy into the air, thereby obeying the laws of physics through the conservation of energy. Compact, yet powerful, these dampers increase structural damping levels to as much as 50% of critical, the results being a truly dramatic reduction in stress and deflection. Each damper is individually tested to customer specified maximum forces and velocities, ensuring the reliability and durability of our products.

 

Taylor Devices Damper

Fluid Viscous Damper Systems

Learn more about how our fluid viscous dampers are incorporated in a variety of systems that can be used in different applications:

  • Damped Outrigger: Outrigger systems are commonly for wind applications used in tall buildings to provide lateral stiffness to the building by connecting the stiff core of the building to the perimeter columns.
  • Direct Acting Damping: A direct acting damper system is when fluid viscous dampers are integrated into a building or bridge’s structure to help absorb energy due to wind, seismic events, or pedestrian activity.
  • Base Isolation Systems: Base isolation is a method of seismic protection where the structure (superstructure) is separated from the base (foundation or substructure).

Introducing the Taylor Damped Moment Frame™

Our new Taylor Damped Moment FrameTM (TDMFTM) procedure decouples special steel moment frame design from the damper frame, allowing for easier analytical models, less guess work on damper properties, and smoothing coordination with Taylor Devices.

  • No Peer Review
  • No Time-History Analysis
  • Shortened Design Time

Fluid Viscous Damper Specifications

Review the documents below to learn more about the specifications of our fluid viscous dampers or contact us if you have any questions.

Standard

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Damper Manual

This comprehensive manual is a guide for engineers with various levels of experience to take advantage of this technology to improve the dynamic performance of structures and to help save lives throughout the world.

Applications of Fluid Viscous Dampers

Fluid viscous dampers can be used in a variety of different applications. Whether it’s stopping vibrations from foot traffic on a bridge, reducing motion at the top of a tall building due to high winds, or protection during a seismic event, fluid viscous dampers provide superior damping to just about any structure. By using viscous damping the structures become velocity sensitive, rather than using hysteric damping which would make them displacement sensitive.

Buildings

Bridges

Stadiums

Industrial

For smaller applications, Taylor Devices also offers a D-Series Damper which can be used for up to 2,000 lbs of output force.

D-Series Industrial Shock Absorber

Benefits of Fluid Viscous Dampers

  • Substantial stress reduction – greatly enhanced damping lowers both stress and deflection throughout a structure. This allows the structure to remain elastic.
  • Easy to model with existing codes – these dampers are completely viscous in output and will simply and efficiently raise structural damping to 20%-50% of critical, versus 1%-3% for a typical non damping design.
  • Allows designers to reduce cost of the structure by utilizing smaller structural elements and less complex foundations while improving the dynamic performance of the structure.
  • The easily installed passive dampers are extremely reliable with no dependence on outside energy sources.
  • No Maintenance ever required.  Taylor Devices exclusive modular design uses a minimum number of moving parts. Patented seal has a history of over 50+ years of successful performance on demanding applications.
  • Environmentally proven output – thermostatically controlled, virtually unaffected by temperatures from -40 degrees F to +160 degrees F. Nonflammable inert fluid and stainless steel piston rods standard on all models.
  • These dampers are truly viscous, their response is out of phase with structural stresses. Taylor seismic, thermal and wind dampers are available in output force ratings up to 2 million pounds and stroke (amplitude) capacities up to +/-42 inches.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fluid Viscous Dampers

We’ve answered some of our most frequently asked questions to help you make the decision that meets the needs of your industry.

What are the benefits of using Taylor Devices’ Seismic Dampers in a structure?

Since dampers resist dynamic motion and remove energy from a structure during wind or seismic events, the resulting structural stress and deflection will always be mitigated in an efficient and reliable manner. This enables the structure to withstand the harsh input energy associated with these events. Now, structures can utilize less steel and/or concrete, be more reliable, be more predictable, cost less and be ready for immediate occupancy after a dynamic event. This also allows for a simple retrofit of existing structures without costly foundation work.

Why do Taylor Devices Dampers offer a better solution than other devices?

Since damping force in a Taylor Devices Damper is dependent on velocity, this force is out-of-phase with the normal structural stresses during a dynamic event such as an earthquake. When a structure moves, the maximum structural stress occurs at the point of maximum deflection. At this point the velocity is zero, and the damping force is therefore zero. Then, the maximum damping force occurs when the structural stress is lowest, because this is the precise instant in time that the velocity is the highest. This results in the ability of the damper to precisely remove energy from the structure at optimal points of deflection, while not needing any additional structural strength to withstand damping forces. The result: forces and accelerations are reduced simultaneously with deflection reductions, thereby allowing the structure to protect not only the structural frame, but contents and occupants as well.

How reliable are Taylor Devices Dampers?

Since Taylor Devices has been manufacturing fluid dampers since 1955, we have extensive experience and a proven track record over many decades. Our structural dampers have been tested to provide completely leak-free operation for millions of cycles. We use our own proprietary seals manufactured from structural plastic combined with solid high strength stainless steel piston rods polished to a mirror-like finish of less than 4 micro-inches. These types of products have been successfully used in thousands of applications, benefiting buildings, bridges, steel mills, chemical plants, military ships, submarines, aircraft and missiles. Taylor Devices Dampers do not degrade with age, do not utilize any moving parts for fluid flow orifices and are completely maintenance-free. These units do not need service or even inspection after a seismic event and maintain their required characteristics for the life of the structure.

Why are Taylor Devices Fluid Dampers better than other solutions such as Buckling Restrained Braces (BRB’s), visco-elastics and friction devices such as plastic hinges and sliding joints?

Taylor Devices Fluid Dampers offer an optimized solution with non-linear characteristics that are held to tight tolerances so they do not degrade after a seismic event and Taylor Devices Dampers allow perfect re-centering of the structure due to near-zero resistance force at near zero velocities. In fact they are instantly ready for the next aftershock or future earthquake. Automobile suspensions converged to viscous damping-type shock absorbers over 100 years ago for the same reason: to be ready for the next bump.

Taylor Devices Dampers also allow for relief of forces that could otherwise build up in BRB’s as a result of creep and shrinkage as a building ages. BRB’s are yielding members and therefore their characteristics and life are unpredictable after use. BRB’s need to be replaced after a significant seismic event. They add stiffness which can be counter-productive when adding damping. BRB’s cannot provide energy dissipation for low level earthquakes, BRB’s only function as a brace, until a larger earthquake strikes, when they may or may not yield. BRB’s also increase acceleration levels in the structure, due to their added stiffness and hysteretic behavior.

Friction devices produce a constant force output which increases the maximum column stress under any deflection of the structure, because of their hysteretic behavior. Taylor Devices Dampers do not increase column stresses since their force output is out of phase with the deflection stresses of the structure. Friction dampers cause continual stress during all thermal expansion and contraction of the structure. Additionally, friction devices restrict a structure from restoring itself to the original position after dynamic events. Taylor Devices Dampers always allow the structure to re-center itself.

Visco-elastic devices have an output that is between that of a damper and a spring. During significant seismic events, the spring force dominates, producing a response that increases column stresses at any deflection point. This does not happen with Taylor Devices Dampers. One of the most serious problems with visco-elastic devices is an unacceptable increase in force at low temperatures coupled with an accompanying overloading of the bonding agent used to “glue” the visco-elastic material to its steel attachments. At high temperatures, unacceptable softening or reduction of output force occurs. This thermal variance over the temperature range can be in the range of 50 to 1. In comparison, Taylor Devices Dampers include a bi-metallic orifice that acts like a thermostat to provide uniform performance over a temperature range of -40°F to +160°F. This proprietary feature also allows the damping function to remain completely stable throughout many cycles of operation that may occur during a significant seismic event.

Simply stated, Taylor Devices’ Fluid Dampers provide an optimized solution, they are reliable, predictable, re-usable and their benefits have been proven through decades of use. This is the same reason that automobiles have used fluid damping devices within their suspension for more than a century to soften the impact to cars as they drive over bumps, and instantly be ready for the next bump.

If there are no disadvantages in incorporating Taylor Seismic Dampers into structures, why have these devices only been widely accepted over the last 25 years and not before that?

The end of the Cold War in 1990 heralded a restructuring period for the American military and defense industry. One of the outcomes of this new era was that political and economic change allowed previously restricted technologies to become available to the general public.

In the civil engineering field, high capacity fluid dampers have transitioned from defense related structures to commercial applications on buildings and bridges subjected to seismic and/or wind storm inputs. Because fluid damping technology was proven thoroughly reliable and robust through decades of Cold War usage, implementation on commercial structures has taken place very quickly. Building codes started to recognize the benefits of Seismic Dampers after extensive research was conducted at research facilities. Now, many codes actually encourage their use and their acceptance within the civil engineering community is still growing.

How easy is it to incorporate dampers and how are they mounted?

Dampers are easily incorporated into a structure anywhere that there is relative motion during a dynamic event. Dampers are available with clevis mounts and/or base plate mounts. Dampers are typically arranged in diagonal braces, chevron braces, or horizontal elements for base isolated structures. Special motion amplifying mechanisms such as toggle braces are also available for applications where the relative motion is predicted to be very small.

What types of materials are used for dampers?

All materials used are corrosion protected, usually with a combination of plating and paint. Special paints and colors are used if requested. Fully heat treated solid stainless steel is always used for the piston rod. Stainless steel construction is also available for any external part if needed.

Taylor Devices does not use commercially available seals, but instead rely on our own proprietary machined seal design using high strength structural polymers rather than soft elastomers. This seal does not degrade with age and we have test units that date back to 1955 that operate perfectly today with zero leakage and no refilling or seal changes of any type needed. Our seals have been tested to provide completely leak-free operation for millions of cycles.

What type of fluid is used?

Silicone fluid is used that is completely non-toxic and is cosmetically and chemically inert. This fluid is very thermally stable, does not experience viscosity break-down and does not settle out. Its flashpoint is greater than 600°F and is non-flammable and non-combustible. The fluid is manufactured and certified in accordance with U.S. Federal standards.

How much damping is usually needed to protect structures?

Dampers are used to improve performance of structures during various dynamic events and these structures have different requirements. Sometimes the structure requires a reduction in deflection, stress, or acceleration, or a combination thereof. Therefore, the amount of damping required varies from structure to structure. However, typical structures can experience a dramatic improvement with 10 to 40 percent of critical damping added. However, due to the fact that the optimized solution requires non-linear damping performance, it is not accurate to quantify the required damping in terms of percent of critical. A dynamic analysis demonstrates the best solution through a relatively simple iterative approach.

How can I be sure that Taylor Fluid Dampers will operate as required during an earthquake or wind event?

Taylor Dampers use machined passageways instead of valves, or moving parts within the orifice, thereby eliminating the issue with stuck or non-operable valves. As long as there is fluid in the damper, it has to function. Every damper is proof tested to internal pressures well beyond earthquake or wind input levels. Further, our policy is to dynamically test every structural damper (100%) to the maximum specified force level in our world-class in-plant testing facility with instrumentation certified to exact U.S. government standards. This ensures the integrity of each damper and its assembly, and ensures the device provides the required damping function and all structural components have been fully proof tested. A test report on each damper is provided with every shipment.

What Quality Assurance standards are used for Taylor Dampers?

Since we provide products for military and aerospace applications as well as industrial and structural applications, we adhere to strict QA standards including AS9100 and ISO 9001. All our products are designed, manufactured and tested to these same standards regardless of the application. We are also an environmentally friendly company adhering to ISO 14001. We have 3rd party certification verifying compliance with these 3 standards.

How can I find dimensional information, available damper sizes and output function information?

Dimensional and output force data is available on this Technical Data section of this website for all our standard structural dampers. Custom arrangements are available as requested.

Seismic and wind dampers are available in output force ratings of up to 2,000,000 lbs. and stroke (amplitude) capacities up to +/-42 inches. Dampers are available that produce a linear relationship with respect to velocity. However damping exponents can be set anywhere between .3 and 2.0 as required by the specific application.

Our Technical Sales Staff is available to provide further information. Please refer to another section of this website to contact us.

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