A study of the influence of excitation characteristics on piping damping estimates

Piping systems are usually multi-span, three-dimensional continuous systems. They have important nonlinear, inelastic response characteristics and hence the quantification of the total energy dissipation of the system during a seismic event depends not only on the characteristics and severity of the input at the supports, but also on the simultaneous response (elastic and inelastic deformation, gap impact and closure, axial slippage, etc.) of the total piping system. In an experimental environment the excitation is usually localized and uni-directional and hence a decision needs to be made as to what direction in addition to what location, the excitation should be applied.