Viscoelastic (VE) dampers are extensively utilized in the earthquake mitigation of
structures in civil engineering. The description of the dynamic properties is an
ongoing issue for VE dampers due to their significant temperature, frequency, and
strain amplitude dependences. In this paper, a novel mathematical model, the
equivalent Havriliak–Negami (EHN) model, is proposed to characterize the dynamic
properties of VE dampers by incorporating the time-temperature superposition
principle and amplitude-temperature equivalent principle. Performance tests on VE
dampers under different temperatures, frequencies, and strain amplitudes are
conducted. In conjunction with the test results, the EHN model is validated through
comparison with the popular VE models by simulating experiments. Based on the
proposed model, a generalized master curve for simultaneously reflecting the dynamic
properties of VE dampers at different temperatures, frequencies, and strain
amplitudes is finally presented. The results demonstrate that the EHN model is
reliable in characterizing the dynamic behaviors of VE dampers with high
accuracy.
School of Civil Engineering, Xi’an
University of Architecture and Technology
Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology
No. 13 Middle Yanta Road, Beilin District
Xi’an, 710055
China