Seismic Isolation Devices

Seismic Isolation:
Seismic isolation, also known as or base isolation system, is one of the most popular means of
protecting a structure against earthquake forces. It is a collection of structural elements which
should substantially decouple a superstructure from its substructure resting on a shaking ground
thus protecting a building or non-building structure's integrity.

Seismic protection of buildings and structures can be made possible by increasing the time
period of the structure by adding seismic base isolation devices between the super structure and
substructure, which primarily filters the earthquake energy and also increases the damping. This
seismic base isolation technology is ideal for Lifeline Structures whose functionality is highly
essential during and after an earthquake ensuring a seismically safe habitat.

Purpose:
When the Earthquake comes there is a huge force acts on the earth surface. The soil influences
the motion of structure and the motion of structure influences the response of soil. Due to the
earthquake forces, displacement occurs in the structure which consequently causes the huge
damage to the structure. In order to minimize the damage which is caused by the earthquake we
use seismic isolation devices. Seismic isolation devices absorbs or minimize the shock in the
structure arises from earthquake. Seismic isolation devices reduce the stiffness or damping in the
structure. Seismic isolation devices mounted between the foundation and floor of the structure.
Seismic isolation device decreases the base shear and displacement but increases the floor
acceleration and interstorey drift. In this research paper we study about different type of seismic
base isolator and its mechanism.

Working Principle:
All the operations that are developed in order to protect the buildings against the earthquakes,
thus providing the security and comfort conditions under service loads and that include placing
certain kind of additional elements in the building are named seismic isolation in general.
Various kinds of devices are used in the buildings for the purpose of seismic isolation. It would
be useful to examine the seismic isolation in the framework of the basic principles of dynamics
before introducing these devices. Seismic isolation in a building, when considered within the
framework of basic principles of dynamics, can be maintained by taking under the control,
modifying and changing the characteristics of both restoring-force when affected by seismic
forces, and damping of the building, and also the mass of the building and seismic forces that
affect the building. As it is known, the equation of motion of a building that is subjected to the
ground motion depends on mass, stiffness, and energy damping nature of the building, as well as
on external seismic forces affecting the building. The characteristics of response
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forces can be controlled, by changing stiffness of the building. When stiffness of the building is
decreased, the response acceleration also decreases and displacements increase. On the other
hand, response of acceleration and displacement can be decreased, by increasing the damping
effect of the building. Various kinds of dampers and their combinations can be placed in the
building. The dynamic characteristics of the structural system might be varied, by changing total
mass and the distribution of the mass within the system. Controlling and arranging the seismic
forces that affect the building can be achieved by isolating the building from the ground.

Classification of Seismic Isolation Systems:

Seismic isolation devices in the structures may be placed as in a way that the foundation of the
structure is separated from its superstructure or specific sections of the building for example by
isolating the main building from its roof, as in the building itself. The kinds of seismic isolation
devices that are placed in the building are usually energy dissipating mechanisms. Two types of
classification of the devices can be done; in accordance to their location in the building, and
operation principles. According to the classification of devices by their location in the building,
isolators can be considered as being of two types, external and internal. Devices of external type
are located outside the building and usually are installed in to the foundations. Devices of
internal type are the energy dissipating mechanisms.

Types of Isolators:
There are three types of isolator,
 Elastomeric bearing
 Friction pendulum bearing
 Supplementary Damping Devices

1. Elastomeric Bearing:
Elastomeric bearings are steel plate laminated rubber bearings installed between the hull of a
vessel and its modules. They are used to accommodate axial, shear and rotational movement. By
doing so, they keep a vessel's modules safe from impact, damage and deformation arising from
adverse sea and weather conditions. They reduced stress and strain characteristics
between hull and module support.

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 Figure 1

Types Of Elastomeric Bearing:

Elastomeric bearing are of two types according to their properties.
 Natural and Synthetic Rubber Bearing (NRB)
 Lead Rubber Bearing (LRB)

Natural and Synthetic Rubber Bearing (NRB):

NRB is made of alternating elastomeric layers and steel shims vulcanized together. Elastomeric
layers are made of natural rubber or neoprene. Lateral flexibility and elastic restoring force is
provided by elastomeric layers. The steel plates implement vertical load capacity and prevent
lateral bulge. NRB are of low damping as well as high damping. The low damping bearings are
utilized as a part of conjunction with supplemental damping devices. The high damping bearings
provide sufficient inherent damping.

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Lead Rubber Bearing (LRB):
LRB is similar to NRB but LRB contains a lead core. The steel shims restrict the lead plug and
therefore it deforms in shear. When the deformation occurs the dissipation of energy takes place.

Figure 2

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Friction Pendulum Bearing:
Sliding friction pendulum isolation system is one type of flexible isolation system suitable for
small to large-scale structure. In recent years, the Friction Pendulum System (FPS) has become a
widely accepted device for seismic isolation of structures. The concept is to isolate the structure
from ground shaking during strong Seismic isolation systems like the FPS are designed to
lengthen the structural period far from the dominant frequency of the ground motion and to
dissipate vibration energy during an earthquake. The sliding properties of the surface materials
are key for the performance of the isolation system. The FPS consists of a spherical stainless
steel surface and a slider, covered by a Teflon-based composite material. During severe ground
motion, the slider moves on the spherical surface lifting the structure and dissipating energy by
friction between the spherical surface and the slider. This isolator uses its surface curvature to
generate the restoring force from the pendulum action of the weight of the structure on the FPS.

Figure 3

Supplementary Damping Devices:

Supplemental damping devices combined with other isolators to resist the lateral forces.

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Buckling Restrained Brace (BRB):
A buckling-restrained brace (BRB) is a structural brace in a building, designed to allow the
building to withstand cyclical lateral loadings, typically earthquake-induced loading. It consists
of a slender steel core, a concrete casing designed to continuously support the core and
prevent buckling under axial compression, and an interface region that prevents undesired
interactions between the two. Braced frames that use BRBs – known as buckling-restrained
braced frames, or BRBFs – have significant advantages over typical braced frames.

When we provide bracing for bearing of seismic load then BRB is very useful. BRB are designed
to yield under loads without buckling and BRB has high ductility. BRB has ability to yield both
in compression as well as tension without buckling. The steel core provides resistance against
buckling by restraining mechanism.

Figure 5

Figure 4

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Fluid Dampers:
Fluid dampers apply restoring force over a finite displacement by which energy dissipation
occurs. Energy dissipation occurs in the form of heat mainly by the
convection and conduction process. When the force applied then the piston rod moves and
therefore the reduction in fluid volume occurs. A restoring force developed due to reduction
of fluid volume which is prevented with the help of accumulator.

Figure 6

Viscos-Elastic Dampers:

The viscoelastic damper consists of a metal housing filled with a highly viscous medium. A
stamp connected to the upper connection plate can move freely in all spatial directions within the
medium. Either the upper or lower plate is connected to the vibrating system, while the other one
must be mounted on a fixed abutment.

The unwanted system vibrations are converted into heat energy by the movement of the stamp in
the viscous medium. This increases the damping, and the resonant “overshoot” is greatly
mitigated. Translational as well as rotational degrees of freedom can be damped at the same
time. Thermal shifts, such as those in a pipeline, can be taken into account by the deflection of
the damper, thus guaranteeing the optimal center position at the operating point.

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 Figure 7

Friction Dampers:
Frictional dampers are most effective, economic and
reliable. It extracts kinetic energy from moving body. Frictional dampers consist of series of steel
plates which develops friction. The steel plates are fixed with high strength steel bolts and
allowed to slip at predetermined load. Frictional dampers are suitable for all type of construction.

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Hysteretic Dampers:
Hysteretic dampers provide most reliable seismic performance. It is also known as yielding
dampers. In this damper energy is absorbed by metallic components. In this type of damper
metallic components are allowed to reach yield point.

Advantages:
 Seismic devices are ideal for high seismic region and when the existing building is
unsafe (seismic up gradation).
 Seismic isolator devices are most effective and suitable for low to medium rise building.
 Seismic isolator devices are suitable for building on hard soil.
 Seismic devices are ideal for earthquakes with high frequency content.
 Maximum protection for important non-structural components/elements in the building.
 Replaceable and Modular construction.
 Indigenous development and production ensures cost economy.

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Disadvantages:
 It is not suitable for building on very soft soil.
 It is not suitable for tall high- rise building.

Applications:
 Lifeline structures like hospitals, schools, etc.
 Structures for strategic sector like nuclear power plants.
 Low to medium rise residential multi-storey buildings.

Conclusion:
When we use seismic isolator in the structure the structure behaves like earthquake resistant
structure. A seismic isolator device absorbs the shock and reduces the stiffness as well as
damping in the structure. It is most effective for low to medium rise structure which is
constructed on hard soil. Seismic isolation serves further step onward for improved
seismic safety. The construction cost mainly depends on the design force level of conventional
building and the location of the plane of isolation. The construction cost increases in very lesser
amount to achieving a structure which will have a considerably better seismic performance
during major earthquakes. The dominant problem in comparing the costs and benefits of a
conventional and an isolated structure is the significant difference in their performance
characteristics.

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References:
1. Alireza Kamrava, “Seismic Isolators and Their Types”, International Research Journal of
Environmental Science, ISSN 0973-4929.
2. T. H. Heaton et al. “Response of high-rise and base-isolated buildings in a hypothetical
MW 7.0 blind thrust earthquake”, Science267, 206-211 (1995).
3. www.mdpi.com/journal/buildings/A Review of Seismic Isolationfor Buildings: Historical
Development and Research Needs (ISSN 2075-5309)
4. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328601090

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