Shake table tests of unattached,asymmetric, dual‐body systems

Systems of unattached, or freestanding, structures are highly vulnerable to damage and/or collapse during an earthquake, as evidenced during numerous past events. This class of structural system includes statue–pedestal systems, multidrum columns, radiation shields, unreinforced masonry walls, and other mechanical and electrical equipment. While a number of studies have analyzed the response of the single rocking block, very few have tested the response of multiple block systems subjected to earthquakes. Therefore, this paper details an extensive shake table testing campaign in which the seismic response of a pair of stiff, unattached blocks, herein referred to as a dual‐body system, was evaluated. Experimental variables include the geometry, including asymmetry, of both top (tower) and bottom (pedestal) bodies, input motion, and the coefficient of friction beneath the system. Furthermore, the tower structures were tested both in dual‐body configurations as well as in single‐body configurations allowing an understanding of the effect of the pedestal. The tests indicate that the presence of a pedestal increases the likelihood of collapse and amplitude of rocking demands, in general. However, certain geometric and interface combinations yield a more stable tower in a dual‐body configuration compared to a single‐body configuration, because of the dependence of the pedestal response on the geometry of the tower. Furthermore, a low‐friction interface beneath the pedestal reduces demands on the tower. However, this low‐friction interface may still transfer long‐period contributions of the input motion to the tower, which may be detrimental to its response. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.