A comparative study of the dynamic behavior of Ramberg–Osgood and Bouc–Wen hysteresis models with application to seismic protection devices

• An efficient algorithm for fitting Ramberg–Osgood (RO) model to target hysteresis loops is developed.
• The relations between the hysteresis loop parameters of Ramberg–Osgood (RO) and Bouc–Wen (BW) models are highlighted.
• A differential form of RO model, which can be used as BW model to dynamics of structures with hysteresis, is proposed.
• Comparative analysis of dynamic behavior of RO and BW models for both deterministic and random inputs.
• Comparison of seismic outputs of a shear frame structure equipped by bracing seismic devices modeled by RO and BW models.

The paper presents a comparative study of Bouc–Wen and Ramberg–Osgood hysteresis models with application to seismic protection of buildings with bracing devices. In order to asses the relations between their parameters with physical meaning, an efficient algorithm for fitting Ramberg–Osgood model to target hysteresis loops is developed. A differential form of Ramberg–Osgood model is proposed in order to compare the outputs of these models for different types of dynamic inputs. The similar dynamic behavior of these models is highlighted by comparative analysis of seismic outputs of three storey building equipped by Buckling Restrained Axial Dampers.