SUMMARYTwo models are tested on a shake-table. One of the models is a normal reinforced concrete megaframe structure and the other is a multifunctional vibration-absorption reinforced concrete megaframe structure in which the laminated rubber bearings are placed between the major frame and the minor frames. Two earthquake motions (the El Centro wave and the Taft wave) are used during the test. This paper presents the dynamic characteristic, the seismic responses and the failure mechanism of these two models under varying peak acceleration levels for each of the earthquake motions. The test results demonstrate that the aseismic behavior of a multifunctional vibration-absorption reinforced concrete megaframe structure is much better than that of a normal reinforced concrete megaframe structure.

The multifunctional vibration}absorption RC megaframe structures, which act as tuned mass dampers, base isolators and damping energy-dissipaters, are presented. The proposed systems are essentially di!erent from the normal megaframe structures in earthquake responses, failure mechanism, and theoretical model of seismic design. The elasto-plastic dynamic analyses show that the earthquake responses of the multifunctional vibration}absorption RC megaframe structures decrease signi"cantly in comparison with the normal megaframe structures, namely 60}80 per cent decrease of the earthquake responses of the major frames and 70}90 per cent decrease of the ones of the minor frames.

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