Sensitivity analysis of double-interface rocking walls with additional hysteretic and viscous dampers

Several researchers have investigated the seismic efficiency of rocking systems with multiple rocking interfaces, which are suitable for both new buildings and retrofits of existing buildings. In this paper, the seismic performance of double rocking systems with additional hysteretic and viscous devices is evaluated. In particular, the investigated solution considers an additional bracing system above the second rocking interface to control the seismic damage to drift-prone elements. So far, only the effectiveness of such a system has been investigated with hysteretic devices (i.e., structural steel bars attached to the rocking interfaces). This paper presents the results of a sensitivity analysis that investigated the different ways in which hysteretic and viscous devices can be used together through non- linear response history analyses for a reference case study.