Passive energy dissipation systems for earthquake-resistant design

Passive energy dissipation devices, also known as supplemental damping devices, have been proposed as a means by which the earthquake resistance of a building can be substantially enhanced, by increasing the building's capability to absorb and dissipate energy in a stable manner. Passive energy dissipation devices of various types have been installed in a number of buildings in Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and the United States. The paper describes some of these applications. The Energy Dissipation Working Group of the Base Isolation Subcommittee of the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California are in the process of developing design requirements for the implementation of passive energy dissipators in building structures, and some of the features of these requirements are presented in the paper.