EFFECT OF BASE ISOLATION ON THE RESPONSE OF REINFORCED

CONCRETE FRAMED BUILDINGS

K. Nalinaa1* and Sohan George2

1
Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering,
PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore
2
PG Student, Structural Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present work is to study the response of reinforced concrete framed buildings with and
without laminated rubber bearings as base isolation devices when subjected to past earthquake history.
Symmetric framed buildings of 8, 10 storeys and unsymmetric framed buildings of 10, 15 storeys are
considered for the analysis. The 1940 El Centro earthquake accelerogram is considered for time
history analysis. Modelling and analysis of the reinforced concrete framed buildings is performed
using SAP2000 software. The response of base isolated framed buildings is compared with
conventional buildings without isolation systems using displacement, storey drift, base shear and peak
acceleration.
Keywords: Base isolation; Laminated rubber \bearings; time history analysis; El Centro accelerogram;
storey drift; SAP2000.

1. INTRODUCTION

The Indian code follows the seismic coefficient method in determining the lateral design forces to
build the structure. Seismic coefficient method helps to determine base shear considering only the
fundamental mode of the structure. The performances of the intended ductile structures during major
earthquake, however, have been proved to be unsatisfactory, and indeed far below expectation. High
uncertainty of the ductility design strategy is primarily attributed to:
a) The desired strong-column weak-beam mechanism may not form due to the existence of
walls.
b) The shear failure of columns due to inappropriate geometrical proportions of short-column
effect.
c) The construction difficulty in grouting, especially at beam-column joints.
Thus, it necessitates finding a method that is devoid of the shortcomings of the ductility approach.
The goal of base isolation is to reduce the energy that is transferred from the ground motion to the
structure by buffering it with a bearing layer at the foundation which has relatively low stiffness. The
bearing level has a longer period than the superstructure, which reduces the force and displacement
demands on the superstructure, allowing it to remain elastic and generally undamaged.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The current work aims at the study of efficiency of elastomeric bearings as a base isolator, when
subjected to a past earthquake history. To achieve this purpose, symmetric and unsymmetric buildings
of reinforced concrete are analysed with and without base isolation systems using SAP2000 and their
response is compared. The El Centro 1940 accelerogram is used for time history analysis.

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* Email address of the corresponding author:
 3. CONCEPT OF BASE ISOLATION

Base isolation is a passive control system; thereby that it does not require any external force or energy
for its activation. To design a structure in such a way, that it may withstand the actual force by
fixed base structure elastically, is not feasible as the construction cost of the structure will be
highly uneconomical. If the overall strength of the structure is increased by making it more rigid,
then it will be at the expense of imparting actual ground forces to the structural contents, thus causing
heavy non-structural damage. Base isolation tries to decouple the structure from the damaging effects
of ground motion in the event of an earthquake. As a strategy to protect structure from earthquake,
base isolation revolves around a few basic elements of understanding:

Period-shifting of structure: Base isolator is a more flexible device compared to the flexibility of
the structure. Coupling an isolator and the superstructure together increases the flexibility of the
total structural system. Thus, this technique lengthens the natural time period away from the
predominant frequency of the ground motions, thus evading disastrous responses caused due to
resonance.
Mode of vibration: The fundamental mode of vibration (first mode shape) is altered from
the continuous cantilever type structure to an almost rigid superstructure with deformations
concentrated at the isolation level.
Damping and cutting of load transmission path.
Minimum rigidity to low level service loads such as wind or minor earthquake loads.

Barbat and Bozzo (1997)[1] had conducted numerical simulation on different base isolation systems
for vibration control of buildings. Seismic response of buildings using any of the base isolation
systems is considerably improved compared to a conventional fixed base design. Lin Su et al. [2] had
made a comparative study on the performances of different isolation devices subjected to El Centro
1940 and Mexico City 1985 earthquakes. It was shown that under design conditions, all base isolators
significantly reduce the acceleration transmitted to the superstructure. Imbimbo and Serino (1995)
[3]has discussed different procedures commonly adopted in preliminary design of base isolation
devices. Jangid et al. (2001)[4] had conducted experimental shake table studies on laminated rubber
bearings and sliding bearings which was compared with analytical results for validation to examine
the effectiveness in the response of base isolation systems.
The economy of base isolation is not seen in terms of its initial installment but over the design
period of the structure during which it is expected to experience earthquake. After an event of
earthquake, the repair of the structure, and the loss of non-structural components may be a more
costly affair than installing base isolation. Base isolation has been found to be extremely useful
for retrofitting of the old structures where the aesthetic, architectural and heritage value is required
to be maintained intact.

4. MODELLING OF THE STRUCTURE

Symmetric RC framed buildings of 8, 10 storeys and unsymmetric RC framed buildings of 10, 15

storeys were considered for the analysis. The symmetric RC buildings have a plan dimension of 15
20 m. The buildings have 5 bays in x-direction with a bay spacing of 4m and 3 bays in y-direction at a
spacing of 4.5m. The unsymmetrical RC framed buildings have 7 bays in x-direction and 5 bays in y-
direction with a bay spacing of 4m in both the directions. The height of each storey is 3.2m.
The material properties of frame elements and area elements are defined. M20 and M30 grade of
concrete are used for beams and columns respectively. The slab and wall in the buildings are modelled
as plate elements with a thickness of 125mm and 230mm respectively. A live load of 3kN/m 2 is
adopted. The buildings are provided with isolated footings and support condition at the bottom is
modelled as fixed. The fixed base buildings subjected to live loads are analysed for vertical forces on
the columns. The maximum value of column load obtained is used in the design of elastomeric rubber
bearings.
 5. DESIGN OF ELASTOMERIC BEARINGS

For the given buildings, the rubber isolator properties[5] are calculated as shown.

5.1 Horizontal Stiffness

Horizontal stiffness, khi = P (2fh)2/g

Where P is the support reaction and fh is the horizontal frequency of the isolator.

5.2 Thickness of Rubber

The thickness of the bearing is evaluated using the permissible shear strain in the isolator material;
Sd
Thickness of rubber, tr = s

Where s is the permissible shear strain. The maximum allowable shear strain is taken as 100%. The
isolator thickness is increased as a result of additional displacement occurring due to torsion in
unsymmetric buildings.

5.3 Area of the Isolator

k h tr
Area of the isolator, A = G
Where G is the shear modulus of the rubber.

5.4 Vertical Stiffness

Vertical stiffness, kvi = EcA/tr

Compression modulus, EC = 6S2G
Where S is the shape factor. The elastomeric bearings are modelled as link rubber isolator in
SAP2000.

Table 1: Properties of Elastomeric Bearings Designed for RC Buildings

Type of Building Design Parameters of ERB

khi= 1.269 kN/mm

RC 8 STORIED tr= 279 mm
(Symmetric) d = 740 mm
kvi = 1286282 kN/m
khi= 1.535 kN/mm
RC 10 STORIED tr= 293 mm
(Symmetric) d = 815 mm
kvi = 1472150 kN/m
khi= 1.425 kN/mm
RC 10 STORIED tr= 293 mm
(Unsymmetric) d = 810 mm
kvi = 1454143 kN/m
 khi= 2.219 kN/mm
RC 15 STORIED tr= 301 mm
(Unsymmetric) d = 1000 mm
kvi = 2050944 kN/m
6. ANALYTICAL STUDY OF RC BUILDINGS[6]

6.1 Symmetric RC 8 Storied Building

Figure. 6.1 3D model of Symmetric RC 8 Storied Building

Displacement

In case of fixed base buildings, the displacement is zero at base level and increases as the storey
height increases. Base isolated buildings have significant displacement at the base level and increases
with increase in storey height, but at a slower rate.
 0.22

0.17

0.12
Displacement, m
Fixed0.07
base building Base Isolated building

0.02

-0.03

Storey Level

Figure 6.2 Variation in Displacement for Symmetric RC 8 Storied Building

Inter-storey drift

In case of fixed base buildings, storey drift is higher at lower floors and decreases as storey level
increases. Base isolated buildings have significantly lower storey drift at lower floors and decreases
with increase in storey height.

0.04

0.03

0.03

0.02
Storey Drift, m
0.02
Fixed base building Base Isolated building
0.01

0.01

0
Plinth level 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Roof level
Storey level

Figure 6.3 Variation in Inter-Storey Drift for Symmetric RC 8 Storied Building

Peak Acceleration

It has been observed that peak acceleration is significantly reduced for base isolated buildings in
comparison with conventional fixed-base buildings.

Base Shear in the fixed-base building = 10462 kN

Base Shear in the base isolated building = 1349 kN

(a) (b)

Figure 6.4: Variation in Peak acceleration for Symmetric RC 8 Storied (a) Building without LRB, and
(b) Base Isolated Building

6.2 Symmetric RC 10 Storied Building

Figure. 6.5 3D model of Symmetric RC 10 Storied Building

Displacement
In case of fixed base buildings, the displacement is zero at base level and increases as the storey
height increases. Base isolated buildings have significant displacement at the base level and increases
with increase in storey height, but at a slower rate.

0.21

0.16

0.11
Displacement, m
Fixed base building
0.06 Base Isolated building

0.01

-0.04
Storey level

Figure 6.6 Variation in Displacement for Symmetric RC 10 Storied Building

Inter-storey drift

In case of fixed base buildings, storey drift is higher at lower floors and decreases as storey level
increases. Base isolated buildings have significantly lower storey drift at lower floors and decreases
with increase in storey height.

0.03

0.02

0.02

Storey drift, m
0.01
Fixed Base Building Base Isolated Building

0.01

0
Plinth level 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Roof level
Storey level

Figure 6.7 Variation in Inter-Storey Drift for Symmetric RC 10 Storied Building

Peak Acceleration
It has been observed that peak acceleration is significantly reduced for base isolated buildings in
comparison with conventional fixed-base buildings.

Base Shear in the fixed-base building = 8239 kN

Base Shear in the base isolated building = 1539 kN

(a) (b)

Figure 6.8: Variation in Peak acceleration for Symmetric RC 10 Storied (a) Building without LRB, and
(b) Base Isolated Building

6.3 Unsymmetric RC 10 Storied Building

Figure. 6.9: 3D model of Unsymmetric RC 10 Storied Building

Displacement

In case of fixed base buildings, the displacement is zero at base level and increases as the storey
height increases. Base isolated buildings have significant displacement at the base level and increases
with increase in storey height, but at a slower rate.

0.21

0.16

0.11
Displacement, m
Fixed0.06
Base Building Base Isolated Building

0.01

-0.04
Storey level

Figure 6.10 : Variation in Displacement for Unsymmetric RC 10 Storied Building

Inter-storey drift

In case of fixed base buildings, storey drift is higher at lower floors and decreases as storey level
increases. Base isolated buildings have significantly lower storey drift at lower floors and decreases
with increase in storey height.

0.02
0.02
0.02
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
Storey drift, m 0.01
Fixed 0Base Building Base Isolated Building
0
0

Storey level

Figure 6.11: Variation in Inter-Storey Drift for Unsymmetric RC 10 Storied Building

Peak Acceleration
It has been observed that peak acceleration is significantly reduced for base isolated buildings in
comparison with conventional fixed-base buildings.

Base Shear in the fixed-base building = 6568 kN

Base Shear in the base isolated building = 1083 kN

(a) (b)

Figure 5: Variation in Peak acceleration for Unsymmetric RC 10 Storied (a) Building without LRB, and
(b) Base Isolated Building

6.3 Unsymmetric RC 15 Storied Building

Figure. 6.11 3D model of Unsymmetric RC 10 Storied Building

Displacement

In case of fixed base buildings, the displacement is zero at base level and increases as the storey
height increases. Base isolated buildings have significant displacement at the base level and increases
with increase in storey height, but at a slower rate.
0.26

0.21

0.16

0.11
Displacement, m
Fixed Base Building Base Isolated Building
0.06

0.01

-0.04

Storey level

Figure 6.12 Variation in Displacement for Unsymmetric RC 15 Storied Building

Inter-storey drift

In case of fixed base buildings, storey drift is higher at lower floors and decreases as storey level
increases. Base isolated buildings have significantly lower storey drift at lower floors and decreases
with increase in storey height.

0.03

0.03

0.02

0.02
Storey drift, m
Fixed Base Building Base Isolated Building
0.01

0.01

0
Plinth level 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Storey level
 Figure 6.13 Variation in Inter-Storey Drift for Unsymmetric RC 15 Storied Building

Peak Acceleration

It has been observed that peak acceleration is significantly reduced for base isolated buildings in
comparison with conventional fixed-base buildings.

Base Shear in the fixed-base building = 11984 kN

Base Shear in the base isolated building = 224 kN

(a) (b)

Figure 6.14: Variation in Peak acceleration for Unsymmetric RC 15 Storied (a) Building without LRB, and
(b) Base Isolated Building

Time Period

From the analysis results, it is observed that there is a significant shift in the time period of the
structure. The isolators used were designed for a time period of 3 seconds and the results obtained
were approximately agreed.
 6

2
Time Period, s 1
Building without LRB Base Isolated Building
0

Type of building

Figure 6.15 Variation in Time Period for RC Buildings

Base Shear

Base shear is an estimate of the maximum expected lateral force that will occur due to seismic ground
motion at the base of a structure. It depends on the fundamental time period of the vibration of the
structure when subjected to dynamic loading. Significant reduction in base shear is observed due to
implementation of the base isolation system in buildings.

Table 2: Base Shear in RC buildings with and without LRB

Base Shear (kN)

Type of building
Fixed Base Building Base Isolated Building
RC 8 STOREY
10462 1349
(Symmetric)

RC 10 STOREY
8239 1539
(Symmetric)

RC 10 STOREY
6568 1083
(Unsymmetric)

RC 15 STOREY
11984 224
(Unsymmetric)
Peak Acceleration

It is observed from the present study that laminated rubber bearings effectively minimize the ground
acceleration transmitted due to shift in the time period of the structure, thereby resulting in reduced
acceleration at different floor levels. An approximate reduction in peak acceleration of 89% and 95%
was observed for symmetric and unsymmetric RC buildings respectively.

Table 3: Peak Acceleration in RC buildings with and without LRB

Peak Acceleration (m/s2)

Type of Building
Building without LRB Base Isolated Building
RC 8 STORIED
7.34 0.819
(Symmetric)

RC 10 STORIED
6.13 0.69
(Symmetric)

RC 10 STORIED
5.81 0.29
(Unsymmetric)

RC 15 STORIED
6.206 0.38
(Unsymmetric)

7. CONCLUSIONS

It is observed that Laminated Rubber Bearings efficiently alter the response of the structure by
reduction in inter-storey drift, base shear and peak acceleration.

The following conclusions are inferred

Significant shift in the fundamental time period of structure is observed due to increased flexibility
of the isolation system.
Fixed base buildings have zero displacements at base whereas appreciable amount of lateral
displacement was observed in base isolated buildings.
Inter-storey drift is greatly reduced in base isolated buildings thereby decreasing the risks of non-
structural damage.
Considerable reduction in base shear has also been observed in base isolated buildings in
comparison to conventional fixed base type buildings.
An approximate reduction in peak acceleration of 89% and 95% was observed for symmetric and
unsymmetric RC buildings respectively.

REFERENCES

1. Barbat A.H. and Bozzo L.M., Seismic Analysis of Base Isolated Buildings, Archives of
Computational Methods in Engineering, Springer, Vol.4.2., pp. 153-192, 1997.
2. Lin Su, Goodarz Ahmadi, Iradj G. Tadjbakhsh, Comparative Study of Base Isolation Systems,
Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, Vol.115, No.9, pp.1976-1992, September 1989.
3. Imbimbo M. and Serino G., Design of base isolation devices for steel structures, Behaviour
of Steel Structures in Seismic Areas, E & FN Spon ISBN: 0-419-19890-3, 1995.
4. Jangid R.S. and Rao P.B., Experimental Study of Base-Isolated Structures, ISET Journal of
Earthquake Technology, Vol.38, No. 408, pp. 1-15, March 2001.
5. National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning, Ministry of HRD,
http://nptel.ac.in/courses/105101004/downloads/08%20Chapter.pdf
6. SAP2000 NL version 10.0.7; Static and Dynamic Analysis of Structures, CSI, Computers
and Structures Inc, 2002.