Low-Cost Hybrid Design Strategies: Large-Scale Shaking Table Tests and Challenges of Implementation

Abstract

The complexity of design, the high transportation cost and the use of materials of high carbon footprint inhibit the sustainable implementation of response modification strategies, such as seismic isolation systems and tuned mass dampers to a large number of countries worldwide. This study presents novel, low-cost response modification strategies that are constructed based on materials, which can be easily resourced. These strategies comprise low-cost engineering measures for the protection of the superstructure from seismic damage at the design hazard level and low-cost seismic isolation techniques for the seismic protection of structures for intensities that exceed the design one. These methods are based on the inclusion of a thin layer of sand or roller bearings between two rigid and smooth surfaces in a sandwich configuration, which facilitates the sliding of the upper surface against the bottom surface at an attractively low, yet reasonably configurable, friction coefficient. The efficiency of the aforementioned response modification strategies is demonstrated based on large-scale testing performed at University of Bristol that paved the way for the design and construction of a new building.