Equivalence of Damping Properties of Dissipative Devices for Mitigating the Seismic Risk of Rigid Blocks

Non-structural elements, such as infill walls, precast r.c., timber panels, machines, cabinets, art objects, etc. can be considered as rigid rocking blocks whose seismic vulnerability may be reduced by means of dissipative and recentering devices. These devices can be installed in different positions of the rigid block. This paper proposes an equivalence criterion to compare dashpots installed either at the base or at the top of rocking blocks in terms of damping coefficients. An analytical expression is obtained and validated through deterministic and stochastic approaches. The first aims to compare the two scenarios' performances, while the second introduces a probabilistic assessment in terms of fragility curves and seismic demand hazard. The comparisons exhibit an optimal agreement, making the analytical formulation reliable for design purposes.