A seismic damper is a device installed on structures such as buildings and bridges to dissipate the energy generated by seismic movements. Its main function is to reduce vibrations and deformations induced by an earthquake, thus increasing the safety and stability of the construction and protecting the integrity of its occupants.

Seismic dampers work by absorbing and dissipating the kinetic energy produced by an earthquake. By converting this energy into heat or other forms, they decrease the amplitude of vibrations and reduce the internal forces acting on the structure, minimizing possible structural damage.

Seismic dampers are widely used in buildings and bridges located in areas of high seismic activity, especially in countries on the Pacific Ring of Fire such as Chile, Japan and the United States. Its implementation is crucial to guarantee the structural safety and post-earthquake functionality of vital infrastructures.

These devices are often used in conjunction with other seismic protection systems, such as seismic isolation, to maximize the reduction of forces transmitted to the structure during an earthquake.