Development and Implementation of viscoelastic Fork Configuration Damper (FCD), for enhanced dynamic performance of high‐rise buildings

The goal of the project is to further develop the Fork Configuration Damper – FCD (patents pending in 7 countries) to enable its implementation in real structures and its commercialization through a University of Toronto startup company. The FCD is a new damping technology developed at the University of Toronto to mitigate wind and earthquake vibrations of high-rise buildings by increasing the level of distributed viscous damping in the structure. The FCD is embedded within structural configurations that are commonly used for high-rise buildings. Not only does the FCD reduce wind vibrations, but if an extreme event occurs (such as a large earthquake) the structural damage is concentrated in the FCDs while other elements of the structure are protected. This allows for rapid inspection, repair and replacement of the FCD following an extreme event. The research and development work will focus on developing the necessary tools for engineers to implement this new technology in Canada and worldwide. During interaction with leading structural high-rise designers, strategies for providing high-level technical sales will also be developed and will feed into the entity that will commercialize this new technology.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Constantin Christopoulos

Student:

Michael Montgomery

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering - civil

Sector:

Construction and infrastructure

University:

University of Toronto

Program: