Substructured Pseudodynamic and Cyclic Tests on a Seismic Protection System including Steel-Teflon Bearings and Fluid Viscous Devices

An experimental investigation was carried out on a base isolation system incorporating stainless steel-Teflon bearings, operating as sliders, and silicone fluid viscous spring-dampers. In this system, the dampers are connected to the base-floor of the isolated building to provide the desired passive control of superstructure response, as well as to guarantee its complete re-centring after termination of a seismic action. Two types of experiments were conducted: sinusoidal and random cyclic tests, and a pseudodynamic test in “substructured” configuration. The cyclic tests were aimed at characterising the hysteretic response of the spring-dampers, the frictional behaviour of the steel-Teflon bearings, and the combined response of their assembly. The pseudodynamic test simulated the installation of the protection system at the base of a three-story steel frame structure. The results of the performed tests, as well as of relevant mechanical interpretation and numerical simulation analyses, are presented in this paper. Keywords: pseudodynamic tests; substructuring; cyclic tests; seismic protection; sliding bearings; fluid viscous devices; base isolation; supplemental damping.

SORACE Stefano;  TERENZI Gloria;  MAGONETTE Georges;  MOLINA RUIZ Francisco Javier; 

2007-01-23

American Concrete Institute

JRC35909