Shake table testing of un‐reinforced brick masonry building test model isolated by U‐FREI

This paper presents a detailed study on feasibility of un‐bonded fiber reinforced elastomeric isolator (U‐FREI) as an alternative to steel reinforced elastomeric isolator (SREI) for seismic isolation of un‐reinforced masonry buildings. Un‐reinforced masonry buildings are inherently vulnerable under seismic excitation, and U‐FREIs are used for seismic isolation of such buildings in the present study. Shake table testing of a base isolated two storey un‐reinforced masonry building model subjected to four prescribed input excitations is carried out to ascertain its effectiveness in controlling seismic response. To compare the performance of U‐FREI, same building is placed directly on the shake table without isolator, and fixed base (FB) condition is simulated by restraining the base of the building with the shake table. Dynamic response characteristic of base isolated (BI) masonry building subjected to different intensities of input earthquakes is compared with the response of the same building without base isolation system. Acceleration response amplification and peak response values of test model with and without base isolation system are compared for different intensities of table acceleration. Distribution of shear forces and moment along the height of the structure and response time histories indicates significant reduction of dynamic responses of the structure with U‐FREI system. This study clearly demonstrates the improved seismic performance of un‐reinforced masonry building model supported on U‐FREIs under the action of considered ground motions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Online test using displacement–force mixed control

This paper proposes an online test technique that employs mixed control of displacement and force. Two types of mixed control, ‘displacement–force combined control’ and ‘displacement–force switching control’ are proposed. In displacement–force combined control, one jack is operated by displacement‐control, and another is operated by force‐control. Validity of the combined control technique is demonstrated by a series of online tests applied to a base‐isolated structure subjected to horizontal and vertical ground motions simultaneously. The substructuring technique is employed in the tests, and the base‐isolation layer is tested, with the rest of the structure modeled in the computer. Displacement‐control and force‐control were adopted for simulating the horizontal and vertical response, respectively. Both displacement‐ and force‐control were implemented successfully despite interference between the two jacks. Earthquake responses of the base‐isolated structure involving the effects of varying axial forces on the horizontal hysteretic behavior of the base‐isolation layer were simulated. In the displacement–force switching control, the jack was operated by displacement‐control when the test specimen was flexible but switched to force‐control once the specimen became stiff. Validity of the switching control technique was also checked by a series of online tests applied to the base‐isolated structure subjected to vertical ground motions. Switching between displacement‐control and force‐control was achieved when the axial force applied to the base‐isolation layer changed from tension to compression or from compression to tension. Both the displacement‐ and force‐control were successful even with many rounds of switching. The test revealed that large accelerations occurred on the floor immediately above the base‐isolation layer at the instants when the axial force of the base‐isolation layer changed from tension to compression. Copyright © 2005 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.     

Real‐time hybrid testing of a smart base isolation system

Real‐time hybrid testing is a very effective technique for evaluating the dynamic responses of rate‐dependent structural systems subjected to earthquake excitation. A smart base isolation system has been proposed by others using conventional low‐damping isolators and controllable damping devices such as magnetorheological (MR) dampers to achieve specified control target performance. In this paper, real‐time hybrid tests of a smart base isolation system are conducted. The simulation is for a base‐isolated two‐degrees‐of‐freedom building model where the superstructure and the low‐damping base isolator are numerically simulated, and the MR damper is physically tested. The target displacement obtained from the step‐by‐step integration of the numerical substructure is imposed on the MR damper, which is driven by three different control algorithms in real‐time. To compensate the actuator delay and improve the accuracy of the test, an adaptive phase‐lead compensator is implemented. The accuracy of each test is investigated by using the root mean square error and the tracking indicator. Experimental results demonstrate that the hybrid testing procedure using the proposed actuator compensation techniques is effective for investigating the control performance of the MR damper in a smart base isolation system. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Online hybrid test by internet linkage of distributed test‐analysis domains

Online hybrid tests (called the online tests), particularly when combined with substructuring techniques, are able to conduct large‐scale tests. An extension of this technique is to combine multiple loading tests conducted in remote locations and to integrate the tests with large numerical analysis codes. In this study, a new Internet online test system is developed in which a physical test is conducted in one place, the associated numerical analysis is performed in a remote location, and the two locations communicate over the Internet. To implement the system, a technique that links test and analysis domains located at different places is proposed, and an Internet data exchange interface is devised to allow data communication across Internet. A practical method that utilizes standard protocols implemented by operating systems for sharing files and folders is adopted to ensure stable and robust communication between remotely located servers that commonly protect themselves by strict firewalls. To combine the online test with a finite element program formulated in an incremental form and adopting an implicit integration scheme, a tangent stiffness prediction procedure is proposed. In this procedure, a tangent stiffness is estimated based on a few previous steps of experimental data. Using the system devised, tests on a base‐isolated structure were carried out. Here, the base‐isolation layer was taken as the tested part and tested in Kyoto University, Japan, and the superstructure was modelled by means of a finite element program and analysed in a computer located in Osaka University. A series of physical Internet online tests were carried out, with the integration time interval and the method of tangent stiffness prediction as the major parameters. The tests demonstrated that the Internet communication was very stable and robust, without malfunctions. The proposed method of stiffness prediction was effective even when the experimental hysteresis curves exhibited complex behaviour, thereby ensuring accurate simulation for the earthquake response of the entire structure. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Damage detection of base‐isolated buildings using multi‐input multi‐output subspace identification

A damage detection algorithm of structural health monitoring systems for base‐isolated buildings is proposed. The algorithm consists of the multiple‐input multiple‐output subspace identification method and the complex modal analysis. The algorithm is applicable to linear and non‐linear systems. The story stiffness and damping as damage indices of a shear structure are identified by the algorithm. The algorithm is further tuned for base‐isolated buildings considering their unique dynamic characteristics by simplifying the systems to single‐degree‐of‐freedom systems. The isolation layer and the superstructure of a base‐isolated building are treated as separate substructures as they are distinctly different in their dynamic properties. The effectiveness of the algorithm is evaluated through the numerical analysis and experiment. Finally, the algorithm is applied to the existing 7‐story base‐isolated building that is equipped with an Internet‐based monitoring system. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

Optimal energy‐based seismic design of non‐conventional Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) implemented via inter‐story isolation

Inter‐story isolation, an effective strategy for mitigating the seismic risk of both new and existing buildings, has gained more and more interest in recent years as alternative to base isolation, whenever the latter results to be impractical, technically difficult or uneconomic. As suggested by the name, the technique consists in inserting flexible isolators at floor levels other than the base along the height of a multi‐story building, thus realizing a non‐conventional Tuned Mass Damper (TMD). Consistent with this, an optimal design methodology is developed in the present paper with the objective of achieving the global protection of both the structural portions separated by the inter‐story isolation system, that is, the lower portion (below the isolation system) and the isolated upper portion (above the isolation system). The optimization procedure is formulated on the basis of an energy performance criterion that consists in maximizing the ratio between the energy dissipated in the isolation system and the input energy globally transferred to the entire structure. Numerical simulations, performed under natural accelerograms with different frequency content and considering increasing isolation levels along the height of a reference frame structure, are used to investigate the seismic performance of the optimized inter‐story isolation systems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Second‐mode tuned mass dampers in base‐isolated structures for reduction of floor acceleration

To reduce floor acceleration of base‐isolated structures under earthquakes, a tuned mass damper (TMD) system installed on the roof is studied. The optimal tuning parameters of the TMD are analyzed for linear base isolation under a generalized ground motion, and the performance of the TMD is validated using a suite of recorded ground motions. The simulation shows that a TMD tuned to the second mode of a base‐isolated structure reduces roof acceleration more effectively than a TMD tuned to the first mode. The reduction ratio, defined as the maximum roof acceleration with the TMD relative to that without the TMD, is approximately 0.9 with the second‐mode TMD. The higher effectiveness of the second‐mode TMD relative to the first‐mode TMD is attributed primarily to the unique characteristics of base isolation, ie, the relatively long first‐mode period and high base damping. The modal acceleration of the second mode is close to or even higher than that of the first mode in base‐isolated structures. The larger TMD mass ratio and lower modal damping ratio of the second‐mode TMD compared to the first‐mode TMD increases its effect on modal acceleration reduction. The reduction ratio with the second‐mode TMD improves to 0.8 for bilinear base isolation. Because of the detuning effect caused by the change in the first‐mode period in bilinear isolation, the first‐mode TMD is ineffective in reducing roof acceleration. Additionally, the displacement experienced by the second‐mode TMD is considerably smaller than that of the first‐mode TMD, thereby reducing the installation space for the TMD.     

LQR control with frequency‐dependent scheduled gain for a semi‐active floor isolation system

Floor isolation is an alternative to base isolation for protecting a specific group of equipment installed on a single floor or room in a fixed‐base structure. The acceleration of the isolated floor should be mitigated to protect the equipment, and the displacement needs to be suppressed, especially under long‐period motions, to save more space for the floor to place equipment. To design floor isolation systems that reduce acceleration and displacement for both short‐period and long‐period motions, semi‐active control with a newly proposed method using the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) control with frequency‐dependent scheduled gain (LQRSG) is adopted. The LQRSG method is developed to account for the frequency characteristics of the input motion. It updates the control gain calculated by the LQR control based on the relationship between the control gain and dominant frequency of the input motion. The dominant frequency is detected in real time using a window method. To verify the effectiveness of the LQRSG method, a series of shake table tests is performed for a semi‐active floor isolation system with rolling pendulum isolators and a magnetic‐rheological damper. The test results show that the LQRSG method is significantly more effective than the LQR control over a range of short‐period and long‐period motions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Approximate analysis methods for asymmetric plan base‐isolated buildings

An approximate method for linear analysis of asymmetric‐plan, multistorey buildings is specialized for a single‐storey, base‐isolated structure. To find the mode shapes of the torsionally coupled system, the Rayleigh–Ritz procedure is applied using the torsionally uncoupled modes as Ritz vectors. This approach reduces to analysis of two single‐storey systems, each with vibration properties and eccentricities (labelled ‘effective eccentricities’) similar to corresponding properties of the isolation system or the fixed‐base structure. With certain assumptions, the vibration properties of the coupled system can be expressed explicitly in terms of these single‐storey system properties. Three different methods are developed: the first is a direct application of the Rayleigh–Ritz procedure; the second and third use simplifications for the effective eccentricities, assuming a relatively stiff superstructure. The accuracy of these proposed methods and the rigid structure method in determining responses are assessed for a range of system parameters including eccentricity and structure flexibility. For a subset of systems with equal isolation and structural eccentricities, two of the methods are exact and the third is sufficiently accurate; all three are preferred to the rigid structure method. For systems with zero isolation eccentricity, however, all approximate methods considered are inconsistent and should be applied with caution, only to systems with small structural eccentricities or stiff structures. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of peer‐to‐peer (P2P) internet online hybrid test system

A new Internet online hybrid test system, designated the ‘peer‐to‐peer (P2P) Internet online hybrid test system’, is proposed. In the system, the simulated structure is divided into multiple substructures, and each substructure is analysed numerically or tested physically in parallel at geographically distributed locations. The equations of motion are not formulated for the entire structure but for each substructure separately. Substructures are treated as highly independent systems, and only standard I/O, i.e. displacements and forces at the boundaries, are used as interfaces. A ‘Coordinator’ equipped with an iterative algorithm based on quasi‐Newton iterations is developed to achieve compatibility and equilibrium at boundaries. A test procedure, featuring two rounds of quasi‐Newton iterations and using assumed elastic stiffness, is adopted to avoid iteration for the substructure being tested physically. A fast and stable solution using a socket mechanism is developed for data exchange over the Internet. Demonstration tests applied to a base‐isolated structure was conducted, and the results are compared with an online hybrid test using the conventional test method. The results obtained from the P2P Internet hybrid test match very closely those obtained from the conventional tests. Investigations are also carried out on time consumption and control accuracy. The results show that the Internet data exchange solution using the socket mechanism is fast, and tests were completed successfully under the constructed Internet online hybrid test environment. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimal design of a base isolated system for a high‐rise steel structure

In a previous study (Kaplan H, Seireg A., Int. J. Comput. Appl. Technol., 2000; 13 (1/2): 25–41), the authors proposed a base isolation system for earthquake protection of structures.The system incorporates spherical supports for the base, a specially designed spring‐cam system to keep the base rigidly supported under normal conditions and to allow it to move for the duration of the earthquake under the constraint of a spring with optimized stiffness characteristics. A single‐degree‐of‐freedom structure was considered to investigate the feasibility of the concept. The simulation of the system response shows a 20 times reduction of the transmitted force as a result of using the proposed design in the considered case. This paper extends the previous study to the case of a 40‐storey steel structure subjected to the Taft as well as El Centro earthquakes. A 7.5 and 6 times reduction of the maximum transmitted force was achieved for the considered disturbances, respectively, without any adverse effects due to the tilting moment which is inherent in this type of base isolation. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experiment and analysis of a leverage‐type stiffness‐controllable isolation system for seismic engineering

Owing to the fixed design parameters in traditional isolation systems, the optimal isolation performance may not always be achieved when a structure is subjected to a nondesign earthquake. At the same time, even though an active isolation system (AIS) can offer a better reduction for different seismic waves, in practice the control energy required still constrains its application. To solve this problem, a novel semi‐active isolation system called the Leverage‐type Stiffness Controllable Isolation System (LSCIS) is proposed in this paper. By utilizing a simple leverage mechanism, the isolation stiffness and the isolation period of the LSCIS can be easily controlled by adjusting the position of the pivot point of the leverage arm. The theoretical basis and the control law for the proposed system were first explained in this work, and then a shaking table test was conducted to verify the theory and the feasibility of the LSCIS. As shown in the experiment, the seismic behavior of the LSCIS can be successfully simulated by the theoretical model, and the isolation stiffness can be properly adjusted to reduce the seismic energy input in the LSCIS system. A comparison of the LSCIS with the other systems including passive isolation and AISs has demonstrated that based on the same limitation of base displacement, better acceleration reduction can be achieved by the LSCIS than by any of the other isolation systems. In addition, the control energy required by the LSCIS is lower than that for an AIS using the traditional LQR control algorithm. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Component and shaking table tests for full‐scale multiple friction pendulum system

The use of base isolation in developed countries including the U.S. and Japan has already been recognized as a very effective method for upgrading the seismic resistance of structures. In this study, an advanced base‐isolation system called the multiple friction pendulum system (MFPS) is investigated to understand its performance on seismic mitigation through full‐scale component and shaking table tests. The component tests of the advanced Teflon composite coated on the sliding surface show that the friction coefficient of the lubricant material is a function of the sliding velocity in the range of 0.03–0.12. The experimental results also indicate that there were no signs of degradation of the sliding interface observed after 2000 cycles of sliding displacements. A full‐scale MFPS isolator under a vertically compressive load of 8830 KN (900 tf) and horizontally cyclic displacements was tested in order to assess the feasibility of the MFPS isolator for its practical use. After 248 cycles of horizontal displacement reversals, the behaviour of the base isolator was almost identical to its behaviour during the first few cycles. The experimental results of the shaking table tests of a full‐scale steel structure isolated with MFPS isolators show that the MFPS device can isolate seismic transmitted energy effectively under soft‐soil‐deposit site earthquakes with long predominant periods as well as strong ground motions with short predominant periods. These test results demonstrate that the MFPS isolator possesses excellent durability and outstanding earthquake‐proof capability. Furthermore, the numerical results show that the mathematical model proposed in this study can well predict the seismic responses of a structure isolated with MFPS isolators. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

近断层地震作用下基础隔震层组合限位振动台实验研究

近断层脉冲型地震作用下,基础隔震结构隔震层会产生过大变形,导致隔震支座侧倾失稳,隔震体系破坏。设计制作了3层基础隔震钢框架实验模型和11种U型钢板I型铅棒组合限位器,进行了U型钢板静力加载实验和近断层脉冲型地震作用下基础隔震层软碰撞限位振动台模型实验。实验表明：①静力加载时,U型钢板具有很好的弹性性能;②动力作用下,组合限位器残余变形较小,仍具有良好限位复位能力;③近断层地震作用下,基础隔震层软限位效果良好,同时控制上部结构层间变形在允许范围内。     

Appropriate viscous damping for nonlinear time‐history analysis of base‐isolated reinforced concrete buildings

There is no consensus at the present time regarding an appropriate approach to model viscous damping in nonlinear time‐history analysis of base‐isolated buildings because of uncertainties associated with quantification of energy dissipation. Therefore, in this study, the effects of modeling viscous damping on the response of base‐isolated reinforced concrete buildings subjected to earthquake ground motions are investigated. The test results of a reduced‐scale three‐story building previously tested on a shaking table are compared with three‐dimensional finite element simulation results. The study is primarily focused on nonlinear direct‐integration time‐history analysis, where many different approaches of modeling viscous damping, developed within the framework of Rayleigh damping are considered. Nonlinear direct‐integration time‐history analysis results reveal that the damping ratio as well as the approach used to model damping has significant effects on the response, and quite importantly, a damping ratio of 1% is more appropriate in simulating the response than a damping ratio of 5%. It is shown that stiffness‐proportional damping, where the coefficient multiplying the stiffness matrix is calculated from the frequency of the base‐isolated building with the post‐elastic stiffness of the isolation system, provides reasonable estimates of the peak response indicators, in addition to being able to capture the frequency content of the response very well. Furthermore, nonlinear modal time‐history analyses using constant as well as frequency‐dependent modal damping are also performed for comparison purposes. It was found that for nonlinear modal time‐history analysis, frequency‐dependent damping, where zero damping is assigned to the frequencies below the fundamental frequency of the superstructure for a fixed‐base condition and 5% damping is assigned to all other frequencies, is more appropriate, than 5% constant damping. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Response of a double‐wedge base‐isolation device

A novel base‐isolation device is described and its performance is compared with that of a friction pendulum bearing. In its simplest form, the device consists of two wedges sliding on a horizontal plane in opposite directions and constrained from retreating by ratchets or bilinear dampers. The superstructure rests at the intersection of the two wedges. For a sufficiently large horizontal acceleration of the base, the structure starts to move up the inclined plane of one of the wedges, which remains fixed while the second wedge is slaved to follow the structure. As the direction of the base acceleration reverses, the process is reversed and the structure starts to climb on the second inclined plane while the first wedge follows. The overall result is that the horizontal acceleration of the structure is reduced with respect to that of the base and that kinetic energy associated with horizontal velocities is systematically transformed into potential energy. In the case of motion in a vertical plane, the device has the following advantages over a friction pendulum: (i) the sliding surface is linear instead of curved, (ii) kinetic energy is systematically transformed into potential energy during the strong ground motion, and (iii) the device is slowly self‐centering. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shaking table test and numerical simulation of a 1/2‐scale self‐centering reinforced concrete frame

Self‐centering reinforced concrete frames are developed as an alternative of traditional seismic force‐resisting systems with better seismic performance and re‐centering capability. This paper presents an experimental and computational study on the seismic performance of self‐centering reinforced concrete frames. A 1/2‐scale model of a two‐story self‐centering reinforced concrete frame model was designed and tested on the shaking table in State Key Laboratory of Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering at Tongji University to evaluate the seismic behavior of the structure. A structural analysis model, including detailed modeling of beam–column joints, column–base joints, and prestressed tendons, was constructed in the nonlinear dynamic modeling software OpenSEES. Agreements between test results and numerical solutions indicate that the designed reinforced concrete frame has satisfactory seismic performance and self‐centering capacity subjected to earthquakes; the self‐centering structures can undergo large rocking with minor residual displacement after the earthquake excitations; the proposed analysis procedure can be applied in simulating the seismic performance of self‐centering reinforced concrete frames. To achieve a more comprehensive evaluation on the performance of self‐centering structures, research on energy dissipation devices in the system is expected. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.