520

International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering

ISSN 0974-5904, Volume 04, No 06 SPL, October 2011, pp 520-525
#020410314 Copyright 2011 CAFET-INNOVA TECHNICAL SOCIETY. All rights reserved
Comparative Study of Fixed Base and Base Isolated Building using Seismic
Analysis

P. P. Thakare
M-Tech Student, Applied Mechanics Department, VNIT, Nagpur 440010, Email: pradnyathakare3@gmail.com
O. R. Jaiswal
Professor and Head, Applied Mechanics Department, VNIT, Nagpur 440010, Email: orjaiswal@apm.vnit.ac.in

ABSTRACT: In past few years, passive control mechanisms including base-isolation systems are gaining large
attention as a mean to protect structures against seismic hazard. The base isolation system separates the structure from its
foundation and primarily moves the natural frequency of the structure away from the dominant frequency range of the
excitation via its low stiffness relative to that of the upper structure. So base isolation allows a design for smaller seismic
forces and higher levels of safety compared with the design of fixed-base structures. In this study, the 3-story R.C
building which is located in seismic zone IV is used as test model. Lead plug bearing is used and represented using
bilinear force deformation behavior. There are two main portions. The two portions are base isolators design and
comparative study of the performances of fixed base condition and base-isolated condition. Static analysis on fixed base
condition and reanalysis of dynamic analysis on base-isolated condition is used. Also, response spectrum analysis and
linear time history analysis are used on both of fixed base and base isolated buildings.

KEY WORDS: Earthquake Analysis, Seismic Base Isolation, Lead Rubber Bearing, Vibration Control, Bilinear
Hysteresis.

INTRODUCTION
Among the structural control schemes developed, seismic
isolation, which is a passive control system, is one of such
most promising alternatives to reduce the demand on
structural components. It is secondary device, which is
mounted on the foundation below the super-structure.
Isolation physically uncouples a structure from horizontal
component of earthquake ground motion leading to
substantial reduction in force generated by an earthquake.
Improved performance is therefore possible, causing a
lower level of response than would be obtained from fixed
base structure. The isolation bearings are widely used in
earthquake prone areas to protect the structure from seismic
forces. A review of isolation devices that have been
studied and used from 1980 to 1984 was conducted by
Kelly [1986]. Numerous researchers have studied the
dynamic behaviors of base isolated structures under
earthquakes using different devices for seismic isolation.
Skinner [1993] provided a comprehensive study on
application of isolation devices to practical use. As for
application of rubber bearings to seismic design, Kelly
[1997] gave detailed procedure for analysis of rubber
isolation systems. In general most isolation systems are
nonlinear in terms of the force displacement relationships.
For a wide range of problems encountered, however, a
linear analysis of base isolated structure using simple
model allows us to gain insight into the dynamics of these
systems, while identifying the key parameters involved
[Chopra, 2002]. The relation between the horizontal force
and horizontal displacement of the isolation bearings is
nonlinear; to calculate the stiffness and the damping
constant, which correspond to effective design
displacement, the nonlinear behavior can be expressed by
bilinear behavior [Pradeep Kumar 2007]. 3D dynamic
analysis procedure of base isolated building is discussed
by Deb [2004]. Nagrajaiah & Andrei [1991] presented an

analytical model and a solution algorithm developed for
dynamic analysis of three-dimensional-base isolated
structures with elastomeric and/or sliding isolation
systems.
Present study is aimed at studying the effectiveness of
base isolation for simple building. A 3-storey building is
analyzed using response spectrum method as well as time
history analysis. Recorded earthquake time history is
considered. Lead rubber bearing is used and represented
using bilinear force deformation behaviour. The results
are compared with that of non-base isolated system. It was
observed that the use of base isolation system provides
more reduction in response compared with fixed base
condition considered in the study.
GOVERNING EQUATIONS OF MOTION
The theory based on a two mass structural model is shown
in Fig.1. The governing equations of motion of isolated
building in matrix form are,

Fig.1 SDOF base isolated system

g
X
& &
&
&
& &
& &
)
`

=
)
`

+
)
`

+
)
`

0
1
m m
m M
X
X
k 0
0 k
X
X
C 0
0 C
X
X
m m
m M
s s
s
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
s
b
s s
s
(1)
521 Comparative Study of Fixed Base and Base Isolated Building using Seismic Analysis
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Volume 04, No 06 SPL, October 2011, pp 520-525
Where, M is total mass of structure. ms, Ks and Cs are
mass stiffness and damping of Superstructure respectively.
Mb is Mass of base slab; Kb and Cb are stiffness and
Damping of base isolator.
In case of nonlinear system, restoring force is introduced
as follows,
| |{ } | |{ } | | { } ) t ( F ) x , x ( fs x C x M = + + & & & &
(2)
The restoring force which determines bilinear behavior of
isolation system as shown in Fig.2 is represented as,
) , , (
b b i b b b
x x k Q x k F & + =
(3)
Fig.2 Bilinear Force deformation behaviour
[M], [C], [K] represent the mass, damping, and stiffness
matrices, respectively of the building structure.
b b
x x & are
deformation and velocity of isolation system. Initial
stiffness Ku, post yield stiffness K
D
, and y intercept Q
d

controls the response of isolation system. Above equations
can be solved numerically using any numerical method.
ISOLATOR PROPERTIES AND MODELLING
The design process starts with preliminary design of a
fixed base structure. Following is the preliminary design
of the base isolators. A design methodology for bilinear
elastomeric isolation systems, those with lead rubber in
particular, is presented here. First basic characteristics
(like time period, mode shape, base shear) of non-base
isolated building are obtained. Then, for the base isolated
building a target value of time period or maximum lateral
displacement is set. Using these target values, isolator
details are worked out and its stiffness and damping are
decided. Using this base isolator, building is analyzed and
seismic force and lateral displacement are obtained. If the
result is within target values, then design of base isolation
is right, else another set of properties are considered and
analysis is done again. The detailed procedure is explained
below:
First, select the material properties for the bearing:
Effective yield stress of lead (fyl), shear modulus of
rubber (Gr), material constant for rubber (k). Determine
the maximum loads on isolator (PD+L).
The steps followed are explained below:
Step1: Set the target values for effective period or
displacement and damping ratio.
Step2: Calculate design displacement (D) or time period
(Tb) and required effective stiffness (Keff) of bearing
using relation,

(4)

(5)
Step 3: Determination of hysteresis parameters of isolator:
The lead rubber isolation bearing is modeled by a bilinear
model based on the three parameters: Ku, Kd, and Qd as
shown in Fig 2. Isolation bearings will have high initial
stiffness, Ku, and after yielding they will have lower
stiffness, Kd. The initial stiffness Ku is estimated as a
multiple of post yield stiffness Kd for leadplug bearings.
The hysteretic damping of this bearing is due to the plastic
deformation of the lead. Effective damping eff may be
given by relation,
2
2
) (
D K
loop hysteresis Area
eff
eff

=
(6)
From Fig.2,
) ( 4 ) (
y
D D Q loop A =
(7)
Where, Dy=yield displacement, which is given by
d u
y
K K
Q
D

=
(8)
Using geometry of Fig.2, The effective stiffness, Keff, is
defined as the secant slope of the peak values in a
hysteresis loop, and is also given as,
d eff
K
D
Q
K + =
(9)
Hence, post yield stiffness can be given as,
D
Q
K K
i
eff d
=
(10)
From Eq. (7), it is clear that Q is dependent on Dy, and Dy
in Eq. (8) is dependent on Q. Initially either Q or Dy
should be assumed as zero and then final values should be
calculated by iterative procedure.
Hence first, Calculate Initial characteristic strength of lead
core (Qi) and Initial post yield stiffness (Kd) using
following equations and neglecting Dy for first
approximation.
a
2
b
2
b
s
eff
S
2
T
D
T
2
g
W
K
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
522
P. P. Thakare, O. R. Jaiswal

International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Volume 04, No 06 SPL, October 2011, pp 520-525
D K Q
e e i

2
1
=
(11)
The initial elastic stiffness has been estimated from
experiment results in the range of 9 to 16 Kd. The ratio of
pre to post yield stiffness (Kd/Ku) is assumed. Generally,
for earthquake loading this ratio is assumed as 10. Hence,
Ku=10Kd.
Finally Yield displacement is obtained using initial
stiffness and equation (8). Then corrected characteristic
strength of lead core (Qi) and post yield stiffness (Kd) is
calculated using equations (7) and (10) by considering
yield displacement which was neglected initially.
Step 4: Calculation of bearing dimensions:
The cross section of lead rubber bearing is shown in fig.3.
Hence, Lead core area (Ap) and lead core diameter (dL)
are calculated using equation,
(12)
, Calculate isolator diameter (d) and total rubber thickness
(Tr).
(13)

(14)
Where, fc=allowable compressive stress; G= shear
modulus of rubber; Pd+l=static load on isolator; db=
bonded diameter of bearing.
Rubber layer (ti) and steel layer (ts) thickness calculation.
Select shape factor such that,
(15)

Where, Ec=modulus of elasticity of rubber in compression
=E (1+2kS2)
Kv=vertical stiffness of bearing and Kh=horizontal
stiffness of bearing.
Use following relation of shape factor to find rubber layer
thickness (ti).

(16)
Steel layer thickness= 2 to 3 mm
No of steel plates= (no of rubber layers 1)
Thickness of top and bottom cover=Tc=20 to 40 mm
Total bearing height= (Tr+Ns X ts)
Step 5: Check isolator stability:
The bearing must be checked to ensure that the maximum
axial loads do not exceed the critical buckling load.
Following expressions may be used to check isolation
stability. The detailed derivation of these equations is
given by Kelly [1999] and Skinner [1993].Calculate the
critical buckling load of bearing in undeformed state and
check factor of safety against buckling instability using
relation,
(17a)

(17b)

Factor of safety = (Pcr/PD+L) (17c)
FS should be greater than 3, if not revise the bearing
dimension
Calculate critical bucking load in deformed state and
check isolator condition in deformed state,
(18)


Where, Ar=Reduced area at design displacement. It is an
overlap between top and bottom bonded layer in deformed
shape.
Step 6: Check strain limit in rubber:
The allowable vertical load is indirectly governed by
limitation on the equivalent shear strain in rubber due to
different load combinations and stability requirement.
Calculate strain due to effect of vertical loads (c) and
strain due to seismic lateral displacement (s, eq).
(19)

Load combinations to be checked are:
i) c 2.5 ii) (c)+ (s,eq)5.5
Step 7: Calculate remaining properties and summarize
While deciding the isolator dimensions some
approximations are made to round off the values. For
example, if calculated lead plug diameter is 54mm, it is
rounded off to 60mm. also, if stability and strain limit
checks are not satisfied dimensions are to be revised. Due
to these reasons, there may be some changes in hysteresis
parameters of isolator, because initially, hysteresis
py
p
f
Q
A =
) 2 1 (
64
) (
3T
IGA E
P
2
4 4
2
r
c
2
cr
kS E Ec
d d
I
l b
+ =

=
=

L D
b
cr
b
b
P Pcr
A
Ar
P
d
D
Where
d
Ar
+

> =
|
|
.
|

\
|
= =
'
1
2
cos 2 , .. )......... sin (
4

r
eq s
r
c
T
D
kS G A
SP
=
+
=
,
2
) 2 1 ( 2
3

mm
K
GA
T
d
r
150 =
mm er d d diameter
area bonded
f
P
A
b
c
L D
b
) (cov 2 ) (
........
+ =
=
+
aring circularbe
t d
A A
S
ing squarebear
t
B
freeArea force
loadedArea
S
i b
p b
i
.......... ..........
.........
4

=
=

=
400
) 2 1 (
2

+
= =
G
kS E
t
GA
t
A E
K
K
r
r
c
h
v
523 Comparative Study of Fixed Base and Base Isolated Building using Seismic Analysis
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Volume 04, No 06 SPL, October 2011, pp 520-525
parameters are used to decide the dimensions. Hence
refined parameters are calculated as given below,
Characteristic strength=Qd=ApXfyp. (20)
Post- yield stiffness=Kd= (21)
Initial stiffness= 10 Kd
Yield displacement is calculated using equation (8)
Yield force= Fy= Ku X Dy (22)
Step 8: Calculation of properties of isolator for designed
dimensions:
This is an iterative procedure. Because hysteretic
parameters are changed as explained in step 7, one will
have to assume a displacement value. Using new
hysteretic parameters and assumed
1) Calculate effective stiffness using equation (9),

2) Calculate time period and damping ratio using
equations as in step 3.
3) Calculate damping coefficient(B) corresponding to
damping ratio
4) Calculate seismic acceleration using
relation,
g B
g
S
I
Z
on accelerati
a
. . . .
2
=

(23)
5) Calculate new design displacement using equation
(5). If this displacement is convergent with the
displacement initially assumed, proceed to next step
otherwise assume new displacement and repeat above
procedure of step 8.
Step: 9 Dynamic analysis of base isolated building:
For preliminary design, the superstructure is assumed to
be a rigid block mounted on the isolator so that isolation
period can be calculated by considering it as a single
degree of freedom system. The modeling of base isolated
structure is based on assumption that there is a diaphragm
above the isolation level, which is sufficiently rigid.
Hence, more exact dynamic analysis is performed to
verify that the base isolator selected in preliminary stage
satisfy the desired criteria. In other words, final step is to
ensure that if structure is no simplified to be rigid box
sitting on top of the base isolators, it will still respond
with base isolator in a way that is within design limit. This
analysis can be response spectrum or time history
analysis. However, the desired approach is to first perform
response spectrum analysis then to follow time history
analysis.
DESCRIPTION AND MODELLING OF BUILDING
In order to compare the Fixed and Base isolated, a three
story reinforced concrete building have been modeled and
analyzed using structural analysis software SAP-2000.The
building is modeled as three-dimensional bare frame
Typical floor plan and elevation of the building are
shown in Fig 4.

Fig.4 Plan and Elevation of Building

Plan dimensions are 12.00 m x 8.00 m. The super-
structure modal damping ratios are assumed to be constant
for each mode as 5%. The superstructure is placed on an
isolation system consisting of lead rubber bearing placed
under each column. Outer columns are 400mm X
400mm.Inner column is 300mm X 300mm. all beams are
300mm X 600mm. floor height is 2.m at plinth and 3.0m
at floor level. Total seismic weight of structure is 4614
KN.
GROUND MOTION CONSIDERED:
The seismic response of the fixed base system and isolated
system is investigated under uni-directional(X-direction)
excitation of real earthquake ground motion. The specific
components of this ground motion are indicated in Table 1
Table 1
Peak ground acceleration of ground motion considered


ANALYTICAL RESULTS
The analysis is performed for response spectrum analysis
and Time history analysis. The superstructure is assumed
to be in elastic linear range. Isolator properties used in
both case are given in Table2
Table 2 Isolator properties

/
b r r
A G T
524
P. P. Thakare, O. R. Jaiswal

International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Volume 04, No 06 SPL, October 2011, pp 520-525
Response Spectrum Analysis:
Comparison of fixed base and isolated base system using
response spectrum analysis is given in Table2. The
comparison results for interstorey drift are shown in Fig5.
It can be seen from results, that base isolation reduces the
interstorey drift by about 15%. The effect of isolation has
shown 65% reduction in base shear as well as moments
and forces in beam and column as shown in Table 3, 4 and
5.
Time History Analysis:
The time history response of building for non-base
isolated (NBI) and Base isolated (BI) is shown in Fig
6&7. Reduction in roof level acceleration due to isolation
as compared to fixed base case for time history analysis is
84%. Interstorey displacement is also reduced by 68%.
Table 3 Comparison of fixed base and isolated system by
response spectrum analysis.

Table 4 Moment and shear force in beam

Table 5 Moment and forces in column


Fig.5 Interstorey drifts of fixed base and isolated base
system by response spectrum analysis
CONCLUSION
In order clarify the use of base isolation; a step-by-step
procedure is given in this study. Like any structural
design, the base isolation design is also iterative in nature.
The expected lateral displacement or time period of base
isolation system is assumed and the base isolation
properties are obtained. At the end it is checked if required

Fig.6 Interstorey drifts of fixed base and isolated base
system by time history analysis


Fig.7 Roof level acceleration of fixed base and isolated
base system by time history analysis

time period or displacement is actually obtained. Using
the stiffness and damping of base isolation, building is
analyzed using response spectrum analysis and time
history analysis and seismic response is obtained.
Although, this study involves elastomer based lead rubber
bearing which have bilinear behaviour, other isolation
elastomer based isolation systems will have similar
behavior. The primary issues of concern are directly
pertinent to most isolation systems. The friction pendulum
system which is a sliding based isolation system is not
discussed in this study.

Base isolation is known to be quite effective vibration
control device However, in this studies, it is shown that
base isolation is effective in reducing the response as
compared to fixed base system. In the present work,
building structure with elastomeric lead rubber bearing
525 Comparative Study of Fixed Base and Base Isolated Building using Seismic Analysis
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Volume 04, No 06 SPL, October 2011, pp 520-525
having bilinear force deformation behavior is used. The
results are presented in comparative form.
Base isolation helps in reducing the design parameters i.e.
base shear and bending moment in the structural members
above the isolation interface by around 4-5 times. The
absolute displacements increases but relative
displacements are reduced thus reducing the damage to
the structure when subjected to an earthquake. The shear
and bending moments are reduced due to the higher time
period of the base isolated structure which results in lower
acceleration acting on the structure and also, due to the
increased damping in the structure due to the base
isolation devices. By the dynamic analysis it has been
found that the base shear reduced 55- 60 % in Response
Spectrum Analysis, whereas Time History Analysis Base
shear reduces by 70-80%. Generally, the peak
displacements obtained by the time history analysis are
less than those of the response spectrum method of
analysis. This is the case because damping due to the
hysteretic effect is more than the equivalent damping
considered in the response spectrum method of analysis.
REFERENCES

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Theory and applications to earthquake
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Second edition, Eaglewood Cliffs, NJ.
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[3] Eurocode-8, Design of Structures for
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[5] Kelly S. E. (1986) A seismic base isolation:
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[7] Kelly, J.M., Naeim F. (1999) Design of seismic
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