Equivalent dumping coefficient

{{short description|Mathematical coefficient in civil engineering}}An equivalent dumping coefficient is a mathematical coefficient used in the calculation of the energy dispersed when a structure moves.{{Cite journal |last=博志 |first=渡辺 |last2=広隆 |first2=河野 |date=2000 |title=L型rc隅角部の強度と変形特性に関する検討 |url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jscej1984/2000/662/2000_662_59/_article/-char/ja/ |journal=土木学会論文集 |volume=2000 |issue=662 |pages=59–73 |doi=10.2208/jscej.2000.662_59}} As a civil engineering term, it defines the percent of a cycle of oscillation that is absorbed (converted to heat by friction) for the structure or sub-structure under analysis.{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/26095253 |title=Sensors, controls, and quality issues in manufacturing : presented at the Winter Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Atlanta, Georgia, December 1-6, 1991 |date=1991 |publisher=ASME |others=T. I. Liu, C. H. Menq, N.-H. Chao, American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Winter Annual Meeting, American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Production Engineering Division |isbn=0-7918-0840-8 |location=New York, N.Y. |pages=361 |oclc=26095253}} Usually it is assumed that the equivalent dumping coefficient is linear, which is to say invariant compare to oscillatory amplitude. Modern seismic studies have shown this not to be a satisfactory assumption for larger civic structures, and have developed sophisticated amplitude and frequency based functions for equivalent dumping coefficient.

When a building moves, the materials it is made from absorb a fraction of the kinetic energy (this is especially true of concrete) due primarily to friction and to viscous or elastomeric resistance which convert motion or kinetic energy to heat.