Trends, challenges, and standardized evaluation of displacement-dependent seismic dampers

This study aims to identify prevailing trends in the research and development of displacement-dependent seismic dampers, highlight areas of opportunity, and assess the scientific rigor within this field. An extensive and systematic literature review was conducted, covering a wide range of recent studies. The review found that many publications claim major innovations or superior performance of new damper systems; however, detailed examination often reveals unsubstantiated or misleading assertions. Moreover, questionable research practices were identified, including plagiarism, redundant publication (“slicing”), and limited experimental validation, all of which undermine scientific integrity and hinder the advancement of reliable seismic protection technologies. To address these issues, the study emphasizes the need for robust and standardized methodologies to evaluate damper performance. Based on the literature findings, a classification framework is proposed according to energy dissipation mechanisms and hysteretic behavior. In addition, a standardized testing protocol is introduced to establish a uniform basis for performance assessment under controlled and reproducible conditions. Collectively, these contributions aim to strengthen the scientific foundation of research in seismic dampers, facilitate technology transfer, and promote their safe and effective implementation in engineering practice.