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Design Fluid Viscous Dampers in SAP2000 and Peform3D

Name: Design Fluid Viscous Dampers in SAP2000 and Peform3D
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5.0(1)160 studentsINTERMEDIATEEnglish

Korshub's take

A hands-on path from damper theory to performance-based seismic design

Fluid viscous dampers are one of the most effective passive energy-dissipation devices in earthquake-resistant design, and this course takes you through modelling, analysing, and designing them in both SAP2000 and Perform3D. It starts with the theory, including force-velocity relationships, damping coefficients, and velocity exponent effects, before moving into hands-on work: defining nonlinear link elements, assigning damper properties, and running linear and nonlinear time-history analyses.

Who it's for

Civil and structural engineers, graduate students, researchers, and practicing professionals who want to apply seismic dampers in real design work. Only basic structural analysis and earthquake engineering knowledge is assumed, no prior damper experience needed.

Key takeaways

The theoretical fundamentals of fluid viscous damper behaviour
Modelling and time-history analysis of dampers in SAP2000
Performance-based seismic assessment and damper calibration in Perform3D, including life-safety and collapse-prevention comparisons

About this course

Fluid Viscous Dampers (FVDs) are among the most effective passive energy dissipation devices used in modern earthquake-resistant design. This course provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the modeling, analysis, and design of Fluid Viscous Dampers using SAP2000 and Perform3D, focusing on practical implementation aligned with performance-based seismic design principles.

The course starts with a clear explanation of the theoretical background of fluid viscous dampers, including their mechanical behavior, force–velocity relationships, damping coefficients, and velocity exponent effects. You will gain a solid understanding of how dampers influence structural response, reduce displacements, control story drifts, and improve overall seismic performance.

Next, the course moves into hands-on modeling in SAP2000, where you will learn how to define nonlinear link elements, assign damper properties correctly, and integrate FVDs into structural systems. You will perform linear and nonlinear time-history analyses, interpret key results, and evaluate damper effectiveness through displacement, acceleration, and force responses.

In the advanced section, the course covers Perform3D modeling, focusing on performance-based seismic assessment, nonlinear components, damper calibration, and acceptance criteria. You will learn how to compare structural behavior with and without dampers, assess life safety and collapse prevention levels, and understand practical design decisions used in real engineering projects.

This course is ideal for civil and structural engineers, graduate students, researchers, and practicing professionals who want to confidently apply seismic dampers in design offices and research studies. No prior damper experience is required—only basic knowledge of structural analysis and earthquake engineering.

By the end of this course, you will be able to design, model, analyze, and evaluate fluid viscous dampers professionally using SAP2000 and Perform3D.