Performance-based seismic isolation design using the theory of spatially concave friction distribution

• Main Authors: Shanshan Li, Biao Wei, Chaobin Li, Weihao Wang, Yunji Fu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: JVE International 2020-02-01
• Series: Journal of Vibroengineering
• Subjects: different functional buildings; seismic isolation; spatially concave friction; spring; viscous damper
• Online Access: https://www.jvejournals.com/article/20739

Seismic isolation devices were designed to protect three similar building structures, containing different objects with different fragilities, in a strong earthquake region. And a performance-based assessment framework, established by the PEER, was used to identify the seismic isolation efficiency of these devices. It optimized the ratios of spring part, viscous damping part and friction part in the seismic isolation devices, aiming at different functional buildings. Results show that a spatially concave friction distribution, combined with a weak spring, not only can reduce the structural acceleration response during earthquakes, but also decrease the structural residual displacement after earthquakes. Moreover, the spatially concave friction distribution can dissipate earthquake energy, but cannot hinder the recentering of structure like that of general uniform friction distributions. Consequently, the spatially concave friction distribution can partly or fully replace the viscous dampers, which are more expensive and short-lived. The reasonable combination of different components in the seismic isolation devices can satisfy different seismic requirements, aiming at different functional buildings.