Experimental and analytical studies of structures seismically isolated with an uplift‐restraining friction pendulum system

This paper presents findings from a comprehensive analytical and experimental study on the uplift‐restraining XY‐FP sliding isolation system. To investigate the effectiveness of the XY‐FP isolator and provide a rational basis for evaluating the efficacy of the developed mathematical model, an extensive experimental program was conducted on the earthquake simulator at the University at Buffalo. The experimental program involved a slender, five‐storey, scale‐model frame seismically isolated with four XY‐FP isolators subjected to simulations of historical horizontal and vertical ground motions. The experimental response demonstrates the validity of the concept and provides evidence for the effectiveness of the XY‐FP isolator in preventing uplift. A comprehensive analytical model capable of emulating the mechanical behaviour of the XY‐FP isolator is developed and implemented in program 3D‐BASIS‐ME. The newly enhanced program is used to predict the dynamic response of the seismically‐isolated model structure. Comparison of analytical predictions with experimental results attests to the efficacy of the analytical model for simulating the response of the XY‐FP isolator. With its appealing conceptual simplicity and its proven effectiveness, the new uplift‐restraining isolator has the potential to facilitate the application of seismic isolation even under the most extreme of conditions, including but not limited to near‐fault strong ground motions and uplift‐prone structural systems. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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 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.     

Effects of seismic isolation on the seismic response of a California high‐speed rail prototype bridge with soil‐structure and track‐structure interactions

With the launch of the high‐speed train project in California, the seismic risk is a crucial concern to the stakeholders. To investigate the seismic behavior of future California High‐Speed Rail (CHSR) bridge structures, a 3D nonlinear finite‐element model of a CHSR prototype bridge is developed. Soil‐structure and track‐structure interactions are accounted for in this comprehensive numerical model used to simulate the seismic response of the bridge and track system. This paper focuses on examining potential benefits and possible drawbacks of the a priori promising application of seismic isolation in CHSR bridges. Nonlinear time history analyses are performed for this prototype bridge subjected to two bidirectional horizontal historical earthquake ground motions each scaled to two different seismic hazard levels. The effect of seismic isolation on the seismic performance of the bridge is investigated through a detailed comparison of the seismic response of the bridge with and without seismic isolation. It is found that seismic isolation significantly reduces the deck acceleration and the force demand in the bridge substructure (i.e., piers and foundations), especially for high‐intensity earthquakes. However, seismic isolation increases the deck displacement (relative to the pile cap) and the stresses in the rails. These findings imply that seismic isolation can be promisingly applied to CHSR bridges with due consideration of balancing its beneficial and detrimental effects through using appropriate isolators design. The optimum seismic isolator properties can be sought by solving a performance‐based optimum seismic design problem using the nonlinear finite‐element model presented herein. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

超弹性-复摩擦摆隔震支座的性能试验与数值模拟

利用复摩擦支座（Double friction pendulum bearing,DFPB）和形状记忆合金（Shape Memory alloy,SMA）拉索,提出了一种超弹性-复摩擦支座（Superelastic-double friction pendulum bearing,SDFPB）。该新型滑动隔震支座在水平方向可适应多水准地震激励,且在竖向拥有抵抗拉拔的功能。阐述了SDFPB的构造特点和工作原理。通过性能试验考察了这一隔震装置的力学特性。建立了SDFPB的恢复力模型,利用其模拟了试验条件下的滞回响应。研究结果表明:SDFPB的耗能能力优良,且具有较好的多级抗震自适应能力;模拟值与试验值吻合较好,验证了上述力学模型的正确性。     

Sloped multi‐roller isolation devices for seismic protection of equipment and facilities

The rolling motion of mutually orthogonal rollers respectively sandwiched between two bearing plates in which one or both have V‐shaped sloping surfaces makes the sloped rolling‐type isolation device have an excellent in‐plane seismic isolation performance. In this study, the sloped rolling type isolation device in which a single roller moves between two V‐shaped sloping surfaces along each principle horizontal direction is refined by incorporating multi‐roller, built‐in damping, and pounding prevention mechanisms. The associated dynamic behavior is further clarified, and a simplified twin‐flag hysteretic model, which can be easily applied in most commercial computational tools is then proposed. Seismic simulation tests on the refined isolation devices (i.e. the sloped multi‐roller isolation devices) with different design parameters such as sloping angles of bearing plates and built‐in damping capabilities, together with a raised floor system by employing the sloped multi‐roller isolation devices, were conducted. Not only is the efficiency of the sloped multi‐roller isolation devices in seismically protecting the important objects, but also the practicability and accuracy of the proposed simplified numerical model in predicting the seismic responses of the sloped multi‐roller isolation devices is experimentally verified. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental and numerical study on hysteretic performance of SMA spring-friction bearings

This paper presents an experimental and numerical study to investigate the hysteretic performance of a new type of isolator consisting of shape memory alloy springs and friction bearing called an SMA spring-friction bearing (SFB). The SFB is a sliding-type isolator with SMA devices used for the seismic protection of engineering structures. The principle of operation of the isolation bearing is introduced. In order to explore the possibility of applying SMA elements in passive seismic control devices, large diameter superelastic tension/compression NiTi SMA helical springs used in the SFB isolator were developed. Mechanical experiments of the SMA helical spring were carried out to understand its superelastic characteristics. After that, a series of quasi-static tests on a single SFB isolator prototype were conducted to measure its force-displacement relationships for different loading conditions and study the corresponding variation law of its mechanical performance. The experimental results demonstrate that the SFB exhibits full hysteretic curves, excellent energy dissipation capacity, and moderate recentering ability. Finally, a theoretical model capable of emulating the hysteretic behavior of the SMA-based isolator was then established and implemented in MATLAB software. The comparison of the numerical results with the experimental results shows the efficacy of the proposed model for simulating the response of the SFB.     

方形多铅芯橡胶支座力学性能研究

本文通过对方形多铅芯橡胶支座竖向压缩性能试验,水平剪切性能试验以及其等效刚度、屈服强度、屈服后刚度、等效阻尼比等水平特征参数与水平剪切应变和竖向压应力的关系,特别是对其在不同方向上压缩剪切变形状态下的性能试验,分析了这种隔震支座各种水平特征参数在不同方向上变化的相关规律。得出在这种类型橡胶隔震支座在双向水平荷载同时作用下,竖向性能和水平性能较为稳定,是较为理想的桥梁结构的减隔震装置。     

Three-dimensional seismic isolation bearing and its application in long span hangars

Based on the seismic response characteristics of space frame structures,a new type of seismic isolation bearing defined as a three-dimensional seismic isolation bearing(3DSIB) is developed in this paper.The bearing offers excellent properties such as multi-dimensional seismic isolation,reasonable rotation capability,good ability to resist lifting load,uncoupled stiffness in horizontal and vertical directions,etc.In the 3DSIB,the horizontal dimension is designed by combining the Teflon sliding device and helical spring,while the vertical dimension is developed by introducing disk springs or helical springs.The mathematical model of the 3DSIB was established and its performance with the critical parameters was tested on a shaking table.Furthermore,the 3DSIB was applied in a 120 m span hangar structure and simulated using SAP2000 software to evaluate its performance in practical structures.The performance of the structures with and without 3DSIB was compared.It is shown that the hangar structure with 3D bearings achieves a better performance.The axial force and acceleration response of the structures with 3DSIB are effectively reduced,while the displacement response of the bearing is within the predetermined range.     

Nonlinear dynamic analysis of multi-base seismically isolated structures with uplift potential I： formulation

The complexity of modern seismically isolated structures requires the analysis of the structural system and the isolation system in its entirety and the ability to capture potential discontinuous phenomena such as isolator uplift and their effects on the superstructures and the isolation hardware. In this paper, an analytical model is developed and a computational algorithm is formulated to analyze complex seismically isolated superstructures even when undergoing highly-nonlinear phenomena such as uplift. The computational model has the capability of modeling various types of isolation devices with strong nonlinearities, analyzing multiple superstructures (up to five separate superstructures) on multiple bases (up to five bases), and capturing the effects of lateral loads on bearing axial forces, including bearing uplift. The model developed herein has been utilized to form the software platform 3D-BASIS-ME-MB, which provides the practicing engineering community with a versatile tool for analysis and design of complex structures with modern isolation systems.     

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.     

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。     

Seismic response of rotating machines–structure–RFBI systems

The seismic response of a critical rotating machine either rigidly attached to a floor or independently isolated housed within an initially aseismically designed or uncontrolled structure are investigated. A particular isolation system, the Resilient‐Friction Base Isolator (RFBI), is employed. Finite element formulations of a rotor‐disk‐bearing model on a rigid base are developed. The equations of motion for the combined rotating machine–structure–RFBI systems are presented. Parametric studies are performed to investigate the effects of variations in system physical properties including friction coefficient, mass ratio, shaft flexibility, bearing rigidity, bearing damping and speed of rotation on the response of rotating machines for the combined rotating machine–structure–isolator systems. Comparative studies in the peak response of the rotating machine supported on various isolation systems and the corresponding fixed base system are carried out. The study indicates that the Resilient‐Friction Base Isolator can significantly reduce the seismic response of rotating components to potentially damaging ground excitations. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nonlinear FE model updating and reconstruction of the response of an instrumented seismic isolated bridge to the 2010 Maule Chile earthquake

Nonlinear finite element (FE) modeling has been widely used to investigate the effects of seismic isolation on the response of bridges to earthquakes. However, most FE models of seismic isolated bridges (SIB) have used seismic isolator models calibrated from component test data, while the prediction accuracy of nonlinear FE models of SIB is rarely addressed by using data recorded from instrumented bridges. In this paper, the accuracy of a state‐of‐the‐art FE model is studied through nonlinear FE model updating (FEMU) of an existing instrumented SIB, the Marga‐Marga Bridge located in Viña del Mar, Chile. The seismic isolator models are updated in 2 phases: component‐wise and system‐wise FEMU. The isolator model parameters obtained from 23 isolator component tests show large scatter, and poor goodness of fit of the FE‐predicted bridge response to the 2010 Mw 8.8 Maule, Chile Earthquake is obtained when most of those parameter sets are used for the isolator elements of the bridge model. In contrast, good agreement is obtained between the FE‐predicted and measured bridge response when the isolator model parameters are calibrated using the bridge response data recorded during the mega‐earthquake. Nonlinear FEMU is conducted by solving single‐ and multiobjective optimization problems using high‐throughput cloud computing. The updated FE model is then used to reconstruct response quantities not recorded during the earthquake, gaining more insight into the effects of seismic isolation on the response of the bridge during the strong earthquake.     

Probabilistic performance‐based optimum design of seismic isolation for a California high‐speed rail prototype bridge

Previous comparison studies on seismic isolation have demonstrated its beneficial and detrimental effects on the structural performance of high‐speed rail bridges during earthquakes. Striking a balance between these 2 competing effects requires proper tuning of the controlling design parameters in the design of the seismic isolation system. This results in a challenging problem for practical design in performance‐based engineering, particularly when the uncertainty in seismic loading needs to be explicitly accounted for. This problem can be tackled using a novel probabilistic performance‐based optimum seismic design (PPBOSD) framework, which has been previously proposed as an extension of the performance‐based earthquake engineering methodology. For this purpose, a parametric probabilistic demand hazard analysis is performed over a grid in the seismic isolator parameter space, using high‐throughput cloud‐computing resources, for a California high‐speed rail (CHSR) prototype bridge. The derived probabilistic structural demand hazard results conditional on a seismic hazard level and unconditional, i.e., accounting for all seismic hazard levels, are used to define 2 families of risk features, respectively. Various risk features are explored as functions of the key isolator parameters and are used to construct probabilistic objective and constraint functions in defining well‐posed optimization problems. These optimization problems are solved using a grid‐based, brute‐force approach as an application of the PPBOSD framework, seeking optimum seismic isolator parameters for the CHSR prototype bridge. This research shows the promising use of seismic isolation for CHSR bridges, as well as the potential of the versatile PPBOSD framework in solving probabilistic performance‐based real‐world design problems.     

设置抗拔型三重摩擦摆隔震支座框架结构地震响应分析

抗拔型三重摩擦摆隔震支座是一种新型隔震支座。以框架结构为例,利用ANSYS软件建立了6层和10层普通抗震结构和带该支座的基础隔震结构模型;通过模态分析,得到了结构的自振周期;通过地震响应分析,提取了6层框架隔震层和顶层的位移、加速度和剪力时程曲线,并提取了不同层数不同结构类型的各层间位移、加速度幅值。结果表明：与抗震结构相比,基础隔震结构周期显著增大;隔震结构的变形主要集中在隔震层,隔震层以上的结构基本为整体平动,结构的地震位移反应得到了有效的减小;采用抗拔型三重摩擦摆隔震支座能降低结构地震加速度反应;设置抗拔型三重摩擦摆隔震支座的多层数隔震结构的能量衰减不如低层数的隔震结构迅速。     

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.     

Analysis of a kinematic self‐centring seismic isolator

This investigation deals with the analytical formulation and experimental validation of a prestressed reinforced concrete seismic isolator with kinematic constraints at both ends. The kinematic isolator was proposed initially as a low‐cost solution for seismic protection of low‐income people housing usually placed at the periphery of big cities where regular to bad soil conditions are common. So, the isolator is also a pile foundation with a central prestressed cable and two rolling steel surfaces at the top and bottom ends. By varying the shapes of the end rolling surfaces, different force–deformation constitutive relationships for the isolator may be obtained. Energy dissipation is introduced by yielding of passive reinforcement at the rolling interphase. Apart from stating the large‐deformation formulation of the element, several relevant aspects of the behaviour of these devices are studied herein, such as the increase in the tension of the central prestressed cable, responsible for the self‐centring action of the isolator, the floor uplift that results from the geometry of the isolator, and the vertical stability of the system. Experimental and theoretical results obtained for a group of 9 testing specimens show an excellent agreement in the force–deformation constitutive relationship. Although not the intent of this article, the device proposed may be extended directly as a coupling beam element for shear wall systems. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of a new rubber seismic isolator: ‘Ball Rubber Bearing (BRB)’

This paper presents an experimental research aimed at developing a new rubber‐based seismic isolator called ‘Ball Rubber Bearing (BRB)’. The BRB is composed of a conventional steel‐reinforced multi‐layered rubber bearing with its central hole filled with small diameter steel balls that are used to provide energy dissipation capacity through friction. A large set of BRBs with different geometrical and material properties are manufactured and tested under reversed cyclic horizontal loading at different vertical compressive load levels. Extensive test results indicate that steel balls do not only increase the energy dissipation capacity of the elastomeric bearing (EB), but also increase its horizontal and vertical stiffness. It is also observed that the energy dissipation capacity of a BRB does not degrade as the number of loading cycles increases. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

设置负刚度装置的大跨长联连续梁桥地震反应分析

为完善大跨长联连续梁桥的减震和隔震技术,提出将负刚度装置引入某带有摩擦摆支座隔震的大跨长联连续梁桥中组成新型减震和隔震系统.基于CSIBridge软件建立全桥有限元模型,负刚度装置采用弹性多段线模拟,摩擦摆支座采用双线性恢复力模型,输入7条地震波进行了非线性时程分析,考查了新型减震和隔震系统下桥梁结构的地震反应,探究了...