Study on effects of damping in laminated rubber bearings on seismic responses for a ⅛ scale isolated test structure

The effects of damping in various laminated rubber bearings (LRB) on the seismic response of a ?‐scale isolated test structure are investigated by shaking table tests and seismic response analyses. A series of shaking table tests of the structure were performed for a fixed base design and for a base isolation design. Two different types of LRB were used: natural rubber bearings (NRB) and lead rubber bearings (LLRB). Three different designs for the LLRB were tested; each design had a different diameter of lead plug, and thus, different damping values. Artificial time histories of peak ground acceleration 0.4g were used in both the tests and the analyses. In both shaking table tests and analyses, as expected, the acceleration responses of the seismically isolated test structure were considerably reduced. However, the shear displacement at the isolators was increased. To reduce the shear displacement in the isolators, the diameter of the lead plug in the LLRB had to be enlarged to increase isolator damping by more than 24%. This caused the isolator stiffness to increase, and resulted in amplifying the floor acceleration response spectra of the isolated test structure in the higher frequency ranges with a monotonic reduction of isolator shear displacement. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Estimation of seismic demands on isolators in asymmetric buildings using non‐linear analysis

A procedure based on rigorous non‐linear analysis is presented that estimates the peak deformation among all isolators in an asymmetric building due to strong ground motion. The governing equations are reduced to a form such that the median normalized deformation due to an ensemble of ground motions with given corner period T_d depends primarily on four global parameters of the isolation system: the isolation period T_b, the normalized strength η, the torsional‐to‐lateral frequency ratio Ω_θ, and the normalized stiffness eccentricity e_b/r. The median ratio of the deformations of the asymmetric and corresponding symmetric systems is shown to depend only weakly on T_b, η, and Ω_θ, but increases with e_b/r. The equation developed to estimate the largest ratio among all isolators depends only on the stiffness eccentricity and the distance from the center of mass to the outlying isolator. This equation, multiplied by an earlier equation for the deformation of the corresponding symmetric system, provides a design equation to estimate the deformations of asymmetric systems. This design equation conservatively estimates the peak deformation among all isolators, but is generally within 10% of the ‘exact’ value. Relative to the non‐linear procedure presented, the peak isolator deformation is shown to be significantly underestimated by the U.S. building code procedures. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

复合隔震结构模型振动台试验研究

作者对一个二层复合隔震结构钢框架模型进行了振动台试验,该模型采用夹层橡胶支座与摩擦滑移支座并联组合作为隔震层,既能提供足够的弹性恢复力,又具有良好的结构耗能能力。试验测得结构各项动力响应,并将软件计算数据与试验数据进行了比较,结果表明复合隔震结构的加速度反应小,楼层层间位移也较小,上部结构基本为平动,结构耗能能力显著,而且软件可以很好地模拟结构的地震反应规律。     

An isolation system for limited seismic gaps in near‐fault zones

The ability of a recently proposed seismic isolation system, with inherent self‐stopping mechanism, to mitigate or even eliminate seismic pounding of adjacent structures is investigated under severe near‐fault earthquakes. The isolation system is referred to as roll‐in‐cage (RNC) isolator. It is a rolling‐based isolator that provides in one unit the necessary functions of vertical rigid support, horizontal flexibility with enhanced stability, hysteretic energy dissipation, and resistance to minor vibration loads. In addition, the RNC isolator is distinguished by a self‐stopping (buffer) mechanism to limit the bearing displacement under excitations stronger than a design earthquake or at limited seismic gaps, and a linear gravity‐based self‐recentering mechanism to prevent permanent bearing displacement without causing vertical fluctuation of the isolated structure. A previously developed multifeature SAP2000 model of the RNC isolator is improved in this paper to account for the inherent buffer mechanism's damping. Then, the effectiveness of the isolator's buffer mechanism in limiting peak bearing displacements is studied together with its possibly arising negative influence on the isolation efficiency. After that, the study investigates how to alleviate or even eliminate those possibly arising drawbacks, due to the developed RNC isolator's inner pounding as a result of its buffer activation, to achieve efficient seismic isolation with no direct structure‐to‐structure pounding, considering limited seismic gaps with adjacent structures and near‐fault earthquakes. The results show that the RNC isolator could be an efficient solution for aseismic design in near‐fault zones considering limited seismic gaps. Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shake table study on an ordinary low‐rise building seismically isolated with SU‐FREIs (stable unbonded‐fiber reinforced elastomeric isolators)

This paper reports on the investigation of novel fiber reinforced elastomeric isolator (FREI) bearings, which do not have thick end plates, and are used in an unbonded application. Owing to the stable lateral load‐displacement response exhibited by the unbonded FREI bearings, the proposed bearings are referred to as stable unbonded (SU)‐FREIs. A shake table test program was conducted on a two‐story test‐structure having well‐defined elastic response characteristics. Compared with the results for the corresponding fixed base (FB) structure, the peak response values, distribution of lateral response throughout the height of the structure, and response time histories of the tested base isolated (BI) structure indicate that significantly improved response can be achieved. This study clearly indicates that SU‐FREI bearings can provide an effective seismic isolation system. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于汶川地震的LRB与RB隔震连续梁桥地震响应对比研究

为了研究铅芯橡胶支座(LRB)和板式橡胶支座(RB)对连续梁桥地震响应及隔震效果的影响,分别采用Bouc - Wen滞回恢复力模型模拟LRB的力-位移非线性特性,采用直线型恢复力模型模拟RB的本构关系,通过结构离散建立了非隔震、LRB隔震和RB隔震3种连续梁桥的有限元计算模型,运用四阶显式Runge - Kutta迭代法和Newmark时间积分法联合求解增量形式的全桥动力微分方程,并结合算例对3种连续梁桥有限元计算模型分别输入汶川地震波进行非线性时程对比分析.结果表明:LRB在控制梁体与支座位移,降低结构加速度和墩、台底内力响应方面均比RB的效果要显著;采用RB隔震后,梁体与支座的位移响应均较大,在桥梁隔震设计时要予以充分重视.     

不规则性对基础隔震结构抗连续倒塌性能影响研究

为研究基础隔震结构抗连续倒塌性能,以备用荷载路径法为基础,采用静力非线性Pushdown方法和静力线性方法对一栋典型的收进式竖向不规则钢筋混凝土基础隔震结构进行分析,从备用荷载路径的抗连续倒塌机制和需求能力比两个角度研究竖向不规则钢筋混凝土基础隔震结构的抗连续倒塌性能,为基础隔震结构抗连续倒塌设计提供参考;为进一步研究结构布置形式不规则性以及裙楼和塔楼层数变化对竖向不规则基础隔震抗连续倒塌性能的影响,分别建立塔楼布置不同、裙楼与塔楼层数变化的模型进行对比研究。研究表明:除角柱失效工况自身无法产生悬链线机制外,其余底层框架柱失效工况中备用荷载路径在整个推覆倒塌过程中均表现出明显的悬链线机制;当隔震支座失效时,由于隔震层水平刚度小,相邻支座无法提供足够的侧向约束作用而难以形成明显的悬链线机制;增加结构冗余度和备用荷载路径中参与荷载传递的构件数量可以有效提高剩余结构抗连续倒塌能力;除角柱和角支座外,隔震支座失效工况DCR值普遍大于对应位置底层框架柱失效工况,备用荷载路径中某些构件的失效风险相对较大。     

An advanced numerical model of elastomeric seismic isolation bearings

The nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi in March 2011 has led the nuclear community to consider seismic isolation for new large light water and small modular reactors to withstand the effects of beyond design basis loadings, including extreme earthquakes. The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission is sponsoring a research project that will quantify the response of low damping rubber (LDR) and lead rubber (LR) bearings under loadings associated with extreme earthquakes. Under design basis loadings, the response of an elastomeric bearing is not expected to deviate from well‐established numerical models, and bearings are not expected to experience net tension. However, under extended or beyond design basis shaking, elastomer shear strains may exceed 300% in regions of high seismic hazard, bearings may experience net tension, the compression and tension stiffness will be affected by isolator lateral displacement, and the properties of the lead core in LR bearings will degrade in the short‐term because of substantial energy dissipation. New mathematical models of LDR and LR bearings are presented for the analysis of base isolated structures under design and beyond design basis shaking, explicitly considering both the effects of lateral displacement and cyclic vertical and horizontal loading. These mathematical models extend the available formulations in shear and compression. Phenomenological models are presented to describe the behavior of elastomeric isolation bearings in tension, including the cavitation and post‐cavitation behavior. The elastic mechanical properties make use of the two‐spring model. Strength degradation of LR bearing under cyclic shear loading due to heating of lead core is incorporated. The bilinear area reduction method is used to include variation of critical buckling load capacity with lateral displacement. The numerical models are coded in OpenSees, and the results of numerical analysis are compared with test data. The effect of different parameters on the response is investigated through a series of analyses. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental and analytical studies on the performance of hybrid isolation systems

This paper presents experimental and analytical results on the seismic response of a rigid structure supported on isolation systems that consist of either lead rubber or sliding bearings. Shake table tests are conducted with various levels of isolation damping that is provided from the bearings and supplemental viscous fluid dampers. The table motions originated from recorded strong ground motions that have been compressed to the extent that the mass of the model structure corresponds to the mass of a typical freeway overcrossing. Experimental data are used to validate mechanical idealizations and numerical procedures. The study concludes that supplemental damping is most effective in suppressing displacements of rigid structures with moderately long isolation periods (T_I≤3 sec) without affecting base shears. Friction damping is most effective in suppressing displacement amplifications triggered by long duration pulses—in particular, pulses that have duration close to the isolation period. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

平扭耦联隔震体系隔震支座阻尼分布影响分析

为了研究铅芯橡胶隔震支座的阻尼分布对平扭耦联隔震体系隔震效果的影响,本文对一个三层两跨钢框架,通过调整上部结构负重块位置及下部铅芯橡胶隔震支座的分布位置,进行不同偏心工况下平扭耦联隔震体系地震模拟振动台试验,获得了不同偏心工况、不同阻尼分布情况下结构位移和加速度的时程曲线。试验和分析表明:隔震层阻尼中心与上部结构的质心位置接近,或者增大隔震层的阻尼半径,可显著地降低上部结构的扭转反应。     

Spherical sliding isolation bearings with adaptive behavior: Theory

The principles of operation and force–displacement relationships of three novel spherical sliding isolation bearings are developed in this paper. These bearings are completely passive devices, yet exhibit adaptive stiffness and adaptive damping. That is, the stiffness and damping change to predictable values at calculable and controllable displacement amplitudes. The primary benefit of adaptive behavior is that a given isolation system can be separately optimized for multiple performance objectives and/or multiple levels of ground shaking. With the devices presented here, this is accomplished using technology that is inherently no more complex than what is currently used by the civil engineering profession. The internal construction consists of various concave surfaces and behavior is dictated by the different combinations of surfaces upon which sliding can occur over the course of motion. As the surfaces upon which sliding occurs change, the stiffness and effective friction change accordingly. A methodology is presented for determining which surfaces are active at any given time based on the effective radius of curvature, coefficient of friction and displacement capacity of each sliding surface. The force–displacement relationships and relevant parameters of interest are subsequently derived based on the first principles. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical investigation on seismic performance of a shallow buried underground structure with isolation devices

A design procedure for improving the seismic performance of unequal-span underground structures by installing isolation devices at the top end of columns is proposed based on the seismic failure mode of frame-type underground structures and the design concept of critical support columns. A two-dimensional finite element model (FEM) for a soil-underground structure with an unequal-span interaction system was established to shed light on the effects of a complex subway station with elastic sliding bearings (ESB) and lead rubber bearings (LRB) on seismic mitigation. It was found that the stiffness and internal force distribution of the underground structure changed remarkably with the installation of isolation devices at the top end of the columns. The constraints of the beam-column joints were significantly weakened, resulting in a decrease in the overall lateral stiffness and an increase in the structural lateral displacement. The introduction of the isolation device effectively reduces the internal force and seismic damage of the frame column; however, the tensile damage to the isolation structure, such as the roof, bottom plate, and sidewall, significantly increased compared to those of the non-isolation structure. Although the relative slip of the ESB remains within a controllable range under strong earthquake excitation as well as frame columns with stable vertical support and self-restoration functions, the LRB shows a better performance during seismic failure and better lateral displacement response of the unequal-span underground structure. The analysis results provide new ideas and references for promoting the application of seismic isolation technology in underground structures.     

Development of a tunable friction pendulum system for semi‐active control of building structures under earthquake ground motions

The Friction Pendulum System (FPS) isolator is commonly used as a base isolation system in buildings. In this paper, a new tunable FPS (TFPS) isolator is proposed and developed to act as a semi‐active control system by combining the traditional FPS and semi‐active control concept. Theoretical analysis and physical tests were carried out to investigate the behavior of the proposed TFPS isolator. The experimental and theoretical results were in good agreement, both suggesting that the friction force of the TFPS isolator can be tuned to achieve seismic isolation of the structure. A series of numerical simulations of a base‐isolated structure equipped with the proposed TFPS isolator and subjected to earthquake ground motions were also conducted. In the analyses, the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) method was adopted to control the friction force of the proposed TFPS, and the applicability and effectiveness of the TFPS in controlling the structure's seismic responses were investigated. The simulation results showed that the TFPS can reduce the displacement of the isolation layer without significantly increasing the floor acceleration and inter‐story displacement of the superstructure, confirming that the TFPS can effectively control a base‐isolated structure under earthquake ground motions.     

Effect of viscous damping devices on the response of seismically isolated structures

Viscous and other damping devices are often used as elements of seismic isolation systems. Despite the widespread application of nonlinear viscous systems particularly in Japan (with fewer applications in the USA and Taiwan), the application of viscous damping devices in isolation systems in the USA progressed intentionally toward the use of supplementary linear viscous devices due to the advantages offered by these devices. This paper presents experimental results on the behavior of seismically isolated structures with low damping elastomeric (LDE) and single friction pendulum (SFP) bearings with and without linear and nonlinear viscous dampers. The isolation systems are tested within a six‐story structure configured as moment frame and then again as braced frame. Emphasis is placed both on the acquisition of data related to the structural system (drifts, story shear forces, and isolator displacements) and on non‐structural systems (floor accelerations, floor spectral accelerations, and floor velocities). Moreover, the accuracy of analytical prediction of response is investigated based on the results of a total of 227 experiments, using 14 historic ground motions of far‐fault and near‐fault characteristics, on flexible moment frame and stiff braced frame structures isolated with LDE or SFP bearings and linear or nonlinear viscous dampers. It is concluded that when damping is needed to reduce displacement demands in the isolation system, linear viscous damping results in the least detrimental effect on the isolated structure. Moreover, the study concludes that the analytical prediction of peak floor accelerations and floor response spectra may contain errors that need to be considered when designing secondary systems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theory and experimental study for sliding isolators with variable curvature

Because a conventional isolation system with constant isolation frequency is usually a long‐period dynamic system, its seismic response is likely to be amplified in earthquakes with strong long‐period wave components, such as near‐fault ground motions. Seismic isolators with variable mechanical properties may provide a promising solution to alleviate this problem. To this end, in this work sliding isolators with variable curvature (SIVC) were studied experimentally. An SIVC isolator is similar to a friction pendulum system (FPS) isolator, except that its sliding surface has variable curvature rather being spherical. As a result, the SIVC's isolation stiffness that is proportional to the curvature becomes a function of the isolator displacement. By appropriately designing the geometry of the sliding surface, the SIVC is able to possess favorable hysteretic behavior. In order to prove the applicability of the SIVC concept, several prototype SIVC isolators, whose sliding surfaces are defined by a sixth‐order polynomial function, were fabricated and tested in this study. A cyclic element test on the prototype SIVC isolators and a shaking table test on an SIVC isolated steel frame were all conducted. The results of both tests have verified that the prototype SIVC isolators do indeed have the hysteretic property of variable stiffness as prescribed by the derived formulas in this study. Moreover, it is also demonstrated that the proposed SIVC is able to effectively reduce the isolator drift in a near‐fault earthquake with strong long‐period components, as compared with that of an FPS system with the same friction coefficient. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Uplift‐restraining Friction Pendulum seismic isolation system

This paper extends the scope of seismic isolation by introducing an innovative uplift‐restraining Friction Pendulum system. Termed the XY‐FP isolator, the new isolation device consists of two orthogonal opposing concave beams interconnected through a sliding mechanism that permits tension to develop in the bearing, thereby preventing uplift. Owing to its distinct configuration, the XY‐FP isolator possesses unique properties for a seismic isolator, including uplift restraint, decoupling of the bi‐directional motion along two orthogonal directions, and capability of providing independent stiffness and energy dissipation along the principal horizontal directions of the bearing. The study concentrates on introducing the concept and establishing the underlying principles of operation of the new XY‐FP isolator, formulating the mathematical model for the XY‐FP isolator, and presenting its mechanical behaviour through a displacement‐control testing program on a single XY‐FP isolator. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study of the earthquake response of the base-isolated Law and Justice Center in Rancho Cucamonga

The recorded earthquake response of a base-isolated building—the Foothill Communities Law and Justice Center in Rancho Cucamonga—shaken by the 1985 Redlands earthquake (M_L 4–8) is discussed and analysed by employing system identification techniques. The calculated response of one-dimensional and three-dimensional linear structural models is fitted to the recorded motions of the superstructure using the ‘modal minimization method’ for structural identification, in order to determine optimal estimates of the parameters of the dominant modes of the building. Simple one-dimensional analyses are used to identify also the effective values of key parameters (e.g. damping) of the isolation system. Furthermore, the recorded motions obtained from the densely instrumented foundation (i.e. below the isolation bearings) of the structure and from the free-field station located 330 ft

1 1 ft =0.3048 m; 1 mile=1.609 km.

from the building show how the presence of the structure affects the incoming seismic waves. It is observed that the transverse component of motion (i.e. the component which is perpendicular to the long dimension of the plan of the building) is affected by the presence of the structure considerably more than the longitudinal component. Factors contributing to this effect are the extreme length of the structure (414 ft) and the rotational motions of the superstructure caused by the spatial variability of ground motion. It is pointed out that, despite the fact that the shift in the effective frequency of the structure induced by the isolation was very small, the elastomeric bearings were very effective in reducing the accelerations transmitted to the structure. This is attributed to the damping capacity of the isolation. Based on the observed response of the building to this small earthquake it can be stated with confidence that the structure performed according to expectations.     

Estimation of inelastic displacement ratio for base‐isolated structures

This study develops a straightforward approximate method to estimate inelastic displacement ratio, C₁ for base‐isolated structures subjected to near‐fault and far‐fault ground motions. Taking into account the inelastic behavior of isolator and superstructure, a 2 degrees of freedom model is employed. A total of 90 earthquake ground motions are selected and classified into different clusters according to the frequency content features of records represented by the peak ground acceleration to peak ground velocity ratio, A_p/V_p. A parametric study is conducted, and effective factors in C₁ (i.e., fundamental vibration period of the superstructure, T_s; postyield stiffness ratio of the superstructure, α_s; strength reduction ratio, R; vibration period of the isolator, T_b; strength of the isolator, Q; ratio of superstructure mass to total mass of the system, γ_m) are recognized. The results indicate that the practical range of C₁ values could be expected for base‐isolated structures. Subsequently, effective parameters are included in simple predictive equations. Finally, the accuracy of the proposed approximate equations is evaluated and verified through error measurement, and comparisons are made in the analyses.     

A parametric study on the axial behaviour of elastomeric isolators in multi-span bridges subjected to horizontal seismic excitations

This paper investigates the potential tensile loads and buckling effects on rubber-steel laminated bearings on bridges. These isolation bearings are typically used to support the deck on the piers and the abutments and reduce the effects of seismic loads and thermal effects on bridges. When positive means of fixing of the bearings to the deck and substructures are provided using bolts, the isolators are exposed to the possibility of tensile loads that may not meet the code limits. The uplift potential is increased when the bearings are placed eccentrically with respect to the pier axis such as in multi-span simply supported bridge decks. This particular isolator configuration may also result in excessive compressive loads, leading to bearing buckling or in the attainment of other unfavourable limit states for the bearings. In this paper, an extended computer-aided study is conducted on typical isolated bridge systems with multi-span simply-supported deck spans, showing that elastomeric bearings might undergo tensile stresses or exhibit buckling effects under certain design situations. It is shown that these unfavourable conditions can be avoided with the rational design of the bearing properties and in particular of the shape factor, which is the geometrical parameter controlling the axial bearing stiffness and capacity for a given shear stiffness. Alternatively, the unfavourable conditions could be reduced by reducing the flexural stiffness of the continuity slab.     

SMA-橡胶支座的力学性能试验研究

SMA-橡胶支座是一种由叠层橡胶垫和形状记忆合金（SMA）复合而成的新型隔震支座。阐明了SMA-橡胶支座的设计思路和工作机理,通过SMA-橡胶支座实物模型的伪动力试验,考察了支座的水平和竖向刚度、耗能能力和等效阻尼比,研究了位移幅值、加载频率、竖向荷载等参数对支座力学性能的影响。研究结果表明,SMA-橡胶支座工作性能稳定,耗能能力较强,是一种性能优良的新型隔震装置。