Seismic isolation of buildings using devices based on sliding between surfaces with variable friction coefficient

Abstract

Base isolators are effective tools that favor a high level of building performance under lateral load, providing protection to both structural and non-structural elements. In this context, this paper discusses the possibility of employing materials with different frictional properties to enhance the response of flat-and curvedsurface base isolators. Two innovative devices, referred to as ''BowTie'' and ''BowC'', are introduced and discussed in some detail. A series of non-linear time history analyses is then conducted using a customized computer program and considering a number of case study structures, designed applying a displacement-based approach. The results of the analyses are used to discuss the key differences between variable friction and constant friction sliding isolation devices. It is shown that the newly proposed isolators may represent an improvement on classic base isolation solutions, in light of their higher energy absorption capacity, which contributes to significantly enhancing their performance.

Seismic response of structures with friction pendulum inerter system (FPIS) under near-fault earthquakes

“…Base isolation (Chen and Li,2020) is one common strategy for minimizing seismic damage to structures. Friction pendulum system is a kind of device widely used in practice, which has outstanding load-bearing capacity and self-resetting performance (Calvi et al, 2017; Chen et al, 2022a; Chen and Jia,2021; Zayas et al, 1990; Imran et al, 2021; Madhekar and Jangid, 2010; Morgan and Mahin, 2010; Nazarnezhad and Naderpour, 2021; Shang et al, 2022; Shrimali and Jangid, 2003). Morgan and Mahin, 2010 suggested that the new multi-stage friction pendulum isolation bearing was feasible in reducing the performance goals of isolator displacement and floor acceleration.…”

Sustainable Earthquake Resilience with the Versatile Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)-Based Superelasticity-Assisted Slider

“…FPS has become a well-known practical IS due to its technical advantages. There are, however, some limitations with FPS and its variants [33,34]. SMA-based recentering is a relatively modern alternative solution for the restoring problem of sliding ISs [35][36][37][38][39][40][41].…”