Oskar Bschorr

Method and apparatus for damping vibrations in large structures, such as buildings

A large structure such as a building is damped by reinforcing steel rods or bars which are divided into segments which are, at least partially, decoupled from one another in their force or load transmitting capacity. Additionally, the steel segments are enclosed by a damping material layer or film which in turn is encased by a sheet metal jacket. The so prepared reinforcing rods are embedded in the poured concrete of the structure or otherwise secured to the structure in a force transmitting manner. In further embodiment a sheet metal member with checkerboard forming grooves and/or ridges is coated with the damping material at least on one side thereof, preferably the side facing the concrete structure. The sheet metal member is anchored to the concrete structure. In both embodiments vibration causing force components are caused to travel at least partially through the vibration damping material.