Parametric identification of the Bouc-Wen model by a modified genetic algorithm: Application to evaluation of metallic dampers

With the growing demand for metallic dampers in engineering practice, it is urgent to establish a reasonable approach to evaluating the mechanical performance of metallic dampers under seismic excitations. This paper introduces an effective method for parameter identification of the modified Bouc-Wen model and its application to evaluating the fatigue performance of metallic dampers (MDs). The modified Bouc-Wen model which eliminates the redundant parameter is used to describe the hysteresis behavior of MDs. Relations between the parameters of the modified Bouc-Wen model and the mechanical performance parameters of MDs are studied first. A modified Genetic Algorithm using real-integer hybrid coding with relative fitness as well as adaptive crossover and mutation rates (called RFAGA) is then proposed to identify the parameters of the modified Bouc-Wen model. A reliable approach to evaluating the fatigue performance of the MDs with respect to the Chinese Code for Seismic Design of Buildings (GB 50011-2010) is finally proposed based on the research results. Experimental data are employed to demonstrate the process and verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach. It is shown that the RFAGA is able to converge quickly in the identification process, and the simulation curves based on the identification results fit well with the experimental hysteresis curves. Furthermore, the proposed approach is shown to be a useful tool for evaluating the fatigue performance of MDs with respect to the Chinese Code for Seismic Design of Buildings (GB 50011-2010).