Approximate analysis method for displacement responses of structures with active variable stiffness systems

The performance of structures with active variable stiffness (AVS) systems exhibits strong nonlinearity due to the variety with time of the stiffness of each storey unit, in which the AVS system is installed. Hence, the classical dynamic analysis method for linear structures, such as the mode-superposition method, is not applicable to structures with AVS systems. In this paper, an approximate analysis method is proposed for displacement responses of structures with AVS systems. Firstly, an equivalent relationship between single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) structures equipped with AVS systems and so-called fictitious linear structures is established. Then, an approximate mode-superposition (AMS) method is presented for multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) structures equipped with AVS systems. The accuracy of this method is investigated through extensive parametrical study using different types of earthquake excitations, and some modification is made to the method. Numerical calculation results indicate that the modified AMS method is effective for estimating the maximum displacements relative to the ground and the maximum interstorey drifts of MDOF structures equipped with AVS systems. Supported by: National Natural Science foundation of China, Grant number 59895410