Experimental Study of Mechanical Pipe Snubber Seismic Behavior

Abstract

A series of seismic tests of mechanical snubbers on a full-scale model piping system provided a unique opportunity for detailed scrutiny of snubber seismic behavior on an actual piping system. The observed snubber behavior is a complicated pattern of braking and releasing, drag and drift, and the dynamic characteristics of the snubber, as well as the input motion, play a role in the response of the snubber. The snubbers were effective in limiting pipe displacements. Relative accelerations across the snubber were larger than expected. Snubber hysteretic behavior was irregular. Results from this testing are important in understanding snubber behavior, evaluating snubber performance, and in assessing alternatives to snubbers.