August 18, 2023
14:00
Louvain-la-Neuve
Place Sainte Barbe, auditorium BARB94
For the degree of Doctor of Engineering Scineces and Technology
Nonlinear dynamic analyses of buildings and infrastructure use viscous damping models to represent energy dissipation sources independent of the materials' constitutive rules. These mechanisms correspond to connections, the interaction between structural and non-structural elements, and the interface between concrete and steel, among others. All these complex sources of energy dissipation have been considered indirectly through viscous damping models since they are expected to have no significant influence on the structure's response. However, it is well known that these models can significantly affect the results when the system enters the inelastic range. This thesis addresses this problem by suggesting modifications for existing models and new approaches. Initially, it is proposed to eliminate the geometric stiffness matrix from the definition of a tangent stiffness proportional viscous damping model. Then, a new condensed damping model proportional to the tangent stiffness matrix is presented to reduce the high energy dissipation caused by the existing condensed models. Finally, new non-linear damping models are 
formulated that allow limiting the damping forces to reasonable levels, ensuring that the assumptions initially used to implement viscous damping models are fulfilled.
Jury members :
- Prof. Issam Doghri (UCLouvain, Belgium), supervisor
- Prof. Jean-François Remacle (UCLouvain, Belgium), supervisor
- Prof. Hervé Jeanmart (UCLouvain, Belgium), chairperson
- Prof. Hervé Degée (Hasselt University, Belgium)
- Prof. Vincent Legat (UCLouvain, Belgium)
- Prof. Pierre Jehel (Université Paris-Saclay, France)