E A RT H Q UA K E R E S I STA N T A R C H I T E C T U R E

BASE ISOLATION & SEISMIC DAMPERS

Abhas Verma 2008UAR101

19/09/2012

ORIGIN & DEVELOPMENT

Research on the development of natural rubber bearings for isolating

buildings from earthquakes began in 1976 at the Earthquake Engineering Research Centre of the University of California at Berkeley. The research project began with a set of hand-made bearings of extremely low-modulus rubber used with a simple three-story, singlebay, 20-ton model. Shaking table tests showed that isolation bearings could bring about reductions in acceleration by factors of as much as ten when compared to those of conventional design. In 1978, a more convincing demonstration of the isolation concept was achieved with a more realistic five-story, three-bay model weighing 40 tons and by using damping-enhanced bearings made by commercial techniques.

INTRODUCTION
Conventional seismic designing attempts to make buildings that do not

collapse under strong earthquake shaking, but may sustain damage to non-structural elements (like glass facades) and to some structural members in the building. This may render the building non-functional after the earthquake, which may be problematic in some structures, like hospitals, which need to remain functional in the aftermath of the earthquake. Special techniques are required to design buildings such that they remain practically undamaged even in a severe earthquake. Two basic technologies are used to protect buildings from damaging earthquake effects. These are Base Isolation Devices and Seismic Dampers.

INTRODUCTION
The idea behind base isolation is to detach (isolate) the building from

the ground in such a way that earthquake motions are not transmitted up through the building, or at least greatly reduced. Seismic dampers are special devices introduced in the building to absorb the energy provided by the ground motion to the building.

BASE ISOLATION -CONCEPT

If a building stands directly on ground

it is called a fixed base building (fig.-1). Large movements are induced due to the movement of earth. The concept of base isolation is explained through an example building resting on frictionless rollers. When the ground shakes, the rollers freely roll, but the building above does not move. Thus, no force is transferred to the building due to shaking of the ground; simply, the building does not experience the earthquake.

Fixed base building

Base on rollers

BASE ISOLATION -CONCEPT

If the same building is rested on flexible pads that offer resistance

against lateral movements, then some effect of the ground shaking will be transferred to the building above. The forces induced by ground shaking can be a few times smaller than that experienced by the building built directly on ground.
The building with flexible pads has an advantage over the rollers: It comes back to its original position after the ground movement. The building does not move much so no danger of getting hit by the ground.
Base Isolated by use of flexible pads

BASE-ISOLATORS
The flexible pads used are called base-isolators, whereas the

structures protected by means of these devices are called baseisolated buildings. The isolators are often designed to absorb energy and thus add damping to the system. This helps in further reducing the seismic response of the building. Isolators are generally made of alternate layers of steel and rubber with rubber wrapping, around these layers. On top and bottom are thick steel plates which are bolted to the column. The rubber provides flexibility and the steel plates provide rigidity and strength. The rubber help in dampening of the vibrations while the steel help the isolator to come back in its original position.

BASE-ISOLATOR

Lead Core Inner Rubber Inner Steel Steel Plate

Lead Rubber Bearing Isolator

TYPES OF BASE-ISOLATOR

Natural Rubber Bearing Isolator

Lead Rubber Bearing Isolator

High Damping Rubber Bearing Isolator

TYPES OF BASE-ISOLATOR
Friction Pendulum Bearing System: This type of base isolation system is based on the movement of a pendulum. The foundation of the building is a spherical concave surface on which a slider attached to a spherical bearing is placed. The building columns rests on this bearing. During an earthquake, the building is free to slide in any direction and regains its original place after the earthquake. The forces needed to move the building upwards limit the horizontal or lateral forces that would otherwise cause building deformations. The material of the concave surface should be low in friction. E.g.: Teflon.
Pendulum Base System

TYPES OF BASE-ISOLATOR

Friction Pendulum Bearing System

INSTALLATION OF BASE-ISOLATORS
Base isolation is a passive earthquake resistance technique. It can be

incorporated during the time of construction and can also be installed in an existing building. For a building which is being constructed: The isolator is placed at the column position. It can be on a base or directly on the ground. But the ground should be hard and firm. Then the column is cast on the top of the base isolator and the later steps of the construction can be continued as usual.

INSTALLATION OF BASE-ISOLATORS
Installation of Base Isolators in an existing structure (Retro-fitting): The building foundation is dug out and retaining walls are constructed.

INSTALLATION OF BASE-ISOLATORS
Lateral supports are added and ring

beams are placed. These are added to provide base for the column. A rigid layer is required directly above and below the soft(isolation) layer. This beam is then lifted by hydraulic jacks.

INSTALLATION OF BASE-ISOLATORS
Column is then punctured and the

portion where the isolator is to be placed is cut out. The isolator is then placed and bolted firmly to the column. A new foundation base is constructed below the isolator.

INSTALLATION OF BASE-ISOLATORS
Similarly the internal columns are cut

and base isolators are installed.

UTAH STATE CAPITOL BUILDING

Building characterstics: Designed in 1912 by R.K.A Kletting. 4 Stories with partial basement/crawl space and dome. Approximately 400 x 215 in plan. Basic structural system is reinforced concrete frame. Steel trusses for dome and skylights, otherwise sparse use of structural steel.

Other notable examples of base isolated buildings are: San Francisco Airport International terminal Oakland City Hall Pasadena City Hall Te papa Museum, Wellington San Francisco City Hall Berkeley Civic Centre

With Shear Walls

With Base Isolation San Francisco City Hall

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

Comparatively most effective

It is very expensive and is not

earthquake resistant techniques, it helps to sustain severe earthquake with minimal damage. Need of this technique is more in emergency facilities like hospitals, which should remain functional after earthquake. Beneficial in retro-fitting as compared to other methods like repairing or jacketing, etc. Can be carried out in historically important buildings without damaging/altering their architectural features.

feasible in small building which need to be cost effective. Requires skilled labors and technicians. Retro fitting is even more costlier as compared to normal installation. Proper machinery and tools are required to carry out the work. Other techniques like seismic dampeners are more cost effective.

SEISMIC DAMPERS
Another approach for controlling seismic damage in buildings is to

install Seismic Dampers in place of some structural elements, such as diagonal braces. These dampers act like the hydraulic shock absorbers in cars that absorb sudden jerks. When seismic energy is transmitted through them, dampers absorb part of the energy, thus damping the vibration of the building. By equipping a building with devices that have high damping capacity, the seismic energy entering the building is greatly decreased. Dampers were used since 1960s to protect tall buildings against wind effects. However, it was only since 1990s, that they were used to protect buildings against earthquake effects.

SEISMIC DAMPERS
Commonly used types of seismic dampers include Viscous Dampers : It consists of a stainless steel piston with bronze orifice head. It is filled with silicone oil. The piston moves due to vibration and the fluid dampens the vibration. Fluid dampers my be designed to behave as pure energy dissipater or a spring or as a combination of the two.

SEISMIC DAMPERS
Friction Dampers : They use metal or other surfaces in friction and

energy is absorbed by surfaces with friction between them rubbing against each other. It typically consists of several steel plates sliding against each other in opposite directions. These plates are separates by friction pads. The damper dissipates energy by means of friction.

SEISMIC DAMPERS
Yielding Dampers : Commonly used in frame buildings to dissipate

energy. They are made of metal parts in which energy is absorbed by yielding deformations of critical metallic components, usually of steel. They can be designed to yield in tension & compression or bending.

REFERENCES
www.nicee.org www.bmtpc.org http://web.mit.edu/~jpkelly/wwwweb.www/index.htm/htm www.architectjaved.com/.../base_isolation_techniques_for_earthquak

e_resistance.html Presentation by Jerod G. Johnson, SE, LEED(AP),Reaveley Engineers + Associates University of Canterbury Research Report Forell/ Elsesser Engineers Presentation, Chief Research Engineer,Building Research Institute, Japan