  Given that the coupling of a framing structure to a strong, rocking wall
enforces a first-mode response, this paper investigates the dynamic response of
a yielding single-degree-of-freedom oscillator coupled to a rocking wall with
supplemental damping (hysteretic or linear viscous) along its sides. The full
nonlinear equations of motion are derived, and the study presents an earthquake
response analysis in term of inelastic spectra. The study shows that for
structures with preyielding period T1<1.0 s the effect of supplemental damping
along the sides of the rocking wall is marginal even when large values of
damping are used. The study uncovers that occasionally the damped response
matches or exceeds the undamped response; however, when this happens, the
exceedance is marginal. The paper concludes that for yielding structures with
strength less than 10% of their weight the use of supplemental damping along
the sides of a rocking wall coupled to a yielding structure is not recommended.
The paper shows that supplemental damping along the sides of the rocking wall
may have some limited beneficial effects for structures with longer preyielding
periods (say T1>1.0 s). Nevertheless, no notable further response reduction is
observed when larger values of hysteretic or viscous damping are used.
