Shaking table test and analysis method on ultimate behavior of slender base‐isolated structure supported by laminated rubber bearings

This paper describes the results of shaking table tests to ascertain the ultimate behavior of slender base‐isolated buildings and proposes a time history response analysis method, which can predict the ultimate behavior of base‐isolated buildings caused by buckling fracture in laminated rubber bearings. In the tests, a base‐isolated structure model weighing 192 kN supported by four lead rubber bearings is used. The experimental parameters are the aspect ratio of height‐to‐distance between the bearings and the shape of and the axial stress on the bearings. The test results indicate that the motion types of the superstructure at large input levels can be classified into three types: the sinking type; the uplift type; and the mixed type. These behaviors depend on the relationship between the static ultimate lateral uplifting force on the superstructure and the lateral restoring characteristics of the base‐isolated story. In the analysis method, bearing characteristics are represented by a macroscopic mechanical model that is expanded by adding an axial spring to an existing model. Nonlinear spring characteristics are used for its rotational, shear, and axial spring. The central difference method is applied to solve the equation of motion. To verify the validity of the method, simulation analysis of the shaking table tests are carried out. The results of the analysis agree well with the test results. The proposed model can express the buckling behavior of bearings in the large deformation range. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.