Stochastic earthquake response of secondary systems in base-isolated structures

This paper studies the stochastic responses of secondary systems in base-isolated shear beam structures. A number of base isolation systems such as the laminated rubber bearing (LRB), the resilient-friction base isolator (R-FBI) with or without sliding upper plate, and the EDF system are considered. The stochastic models for the El Centro 1940 and the Mexico City 1985 earthquakes which preserve the non-stationary evolutions of amplitude and frequency content of ground accelerations are used as earthquake excitations. The technique of equivalent linearization is utilized and the mean-square response statistics of secondary systems and primary structure are evaluated. The accuracy of the linearization scheme is verified by comparison with the Monte Carlo simulation results. Statistically estimated peak responses of the secondary system are evaluated and the results are compared with the response spectra for actual earthquake accelerograms. It is shown that the use of base isolation systems, generally, provides considerable protection for structural contents. In particular, the LRB system is remarkably effective in reducing responses of secondary systems. Results for the Mexico City earthquake show that the base-isolated structures are sensitive to long period ground excitations.     

板式支座与铅芯支座连续梁桥振动台试验对比分析

通过对分别采用板式支座和铅芯支座的2座3跨连续梁桥模型进行振动台试验,对比分析了这2类桥梁的动力特性、破坏过程及2种支座对连续梁桥地震反应的影响。研究结果表明：地震波特性对桥梁结构的地震反应有较大影响,在对桥梁结构进行抗震设计时,需选择合理的地震动输入;在地震强度较小时,板式支座的滑动能够起到一定的隔震效果,铅芯支座的隔震性能能得到较好的发挥;在地震强度较大时,铅芯支座的隔震性能不能得到很好的发挥,采用铅芯支座的桥梁地震反应不一定小于普通桥梁;通过合理的设计,2类桥梁都完全可以实现大震不倒的设防目标。     

Shake table tests on a mass eccentric model with base isolation

A mass eccentric structure is usually more seismically vulnerable than its concentric counterpart because of the coupled torsional–translational response of such structures. In this work, dynamic characteristics and response of a five‐storey benchmark model with moderate mass eccentricity were investigated using a shake table, simulating four different ground motions. The effectiveness of laminated rubber bearings (LRB) and lead‐core rubber bearings (LCRB) in protecting eccentric structures was examined and evaluated in relation to translational and torsional responses of the benchmark model. It was observed that both translational and torsional responses were significantly reduced with the addition of either a LRB or LCRB isolated system regardless of the nature of ground motion input. The LRB were identified to be more effective than LCRB in reducing model relative displacements, the relative torsional angle as well as accelerations, and therefore provided a better protection of the superstructure and its contents. On the other hand, LCRB rendered a smaller torsional angle and absolute displacement of the base isolation system, hence a more stable structural system. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulation of the response of base-isolated buildings under earthquake excitations considering soil flexibility

The accurate analysis of the seismic response of isolated structures requires incorporation of the flexibility of supporting soil.However,it is often customary to idealize the soil as rigid during the analysis of such structures.In this paper,seismic response time history analyses of base-isolated buildings modelled as linear single degree-of-freedom(SDOF) and multi degree-of-freedom(MDOF) systems with linear and nonlinear base models considering and ignoring the flexibility of supporting soil are conducted.The flexibility of supporting soil is modelled through a lumped parameter model consisting of swaying and rocking spring-dashpots.In the analysis,a large number of parametric studies for different earthquake excitations with three different peak ground acceleration(PGA) levels,different natural periods of the building models,and different shear wave velocities in the soil are considered.For the isolation system,laminated rubber bearings(LRBs) as well as high damping rubber bearings(HDRBs) are used.Responses of the isolated buildings with and without SSI are compared under different ground motions leading to the following conclusions:(1) soil flexibility may considerably influence the stiff superstructure response and may only slightly influence the response of the flexible structures;(2) the use of HDRBs for the isolation system induces higher structural peak responses with SSI compared to the system with LRBs;(3) although the peak response is affected by the incorporation of soil flexibility,it appears insensitive to the variation of shear wave velocity in the soil;(4) the response amplifications of the SDOF system become closer to unit with the increase in the natural period of the building,indicating an inverse relationship between SSI effects and natural periods for all the considered ground motions,base isolations and shear wave velocities;(5) the incorporation of SSI increases the number of significant cycles of large amplitude accelerations for all the stories,especially for earthquakes with low and moderate PGA levels;and(6) buildings with a linear LRB base-isolation system exhibit larger differences in displacement and acceleration amplifications,especially at the level of the lower stories.     

强震观测建筑结构的地震反应分析

选择取得强震观测资料的建筑结构为研究对象，采用有限元法建立结构的动力反应分析模型，利用SAP2000程序分析了结构的地震反应，并同实际记录到的结构地震反应进行了对比分析，讨论了结构模型参数估计和一些不确定因素对模型精度的影响。     

应用SMA复合橡胶支座的桥梁隔震

本文提出了一种基于形状记忆合金的复合橡胶支座（简称SMA复合橡胶支座）的智能桥梁隔震系统，应用SMA复合橡胶支座对一受El Centro地震激励的多跨简支桥的一标准跨进行了时程分析，并与应用普通橡胶支座进行了减震、隔震效果的比较，结果表明，应用SMA复合橡胶支座隔震，不仅能取得更为显著的减震、隔震效果，而且能使地震后隔震桥梁的梁体得以复位，从而验证了SMA复合橡胶支座在桥梁隔震中的有效性、智能性和自恢复能力。     

Convex model-based calculation of robust seismic fragility curves of isolated continuous girder bridge

The convex model approach is applied to derive the robust seismic fragility curves of a five-span isolated continuous girder bridge with lead rubber bearings (LRB) in China. The uncertainty of structure parameters (the yield force and the post-yield stiffness of LRB, the yield strength of steel bars, etc.) are considered in the convex model, and the uncertainty of earthquake ground motions is also taken into account by selecting 40 earthquake excitations of peak ground acceleration magnitudes ranging from 0.125 to 1.126 g. A 3-D finite element model is employed using the software package OpenSees by considering the nonlinearity in the bridge piers and the isolation bearings. Section ductility of piers and shearing strain isolation bearings are treated as damage indices. The cloud method and convex model approach are used to construct the seismic fragility curves of the bridge components (LRB and bridge piers) and the bridge system, respectively. The numerical results indicate that seismic fragility of the bridge system and bridge components will be underestimated without considering the uncertainty of structural parameters. Therefore, the failure probability P _f,max had better be served as the seismic fragility, especially, the fragility of the bridge system is largely dictated by the fragility of LRB. Finally, the probabilistic seismic performance evaluation of the bridge is carried out according to the structural seismic risk estimate method.     

Peak earthquake response of structures under multi-component excitations

Accurate estimation of the peak seismic responses of structures is important in earthquake resistant design. The internal force distributions and the seismic responses of structures are quite complex, since ground motions are multi- directional. One key issue is the uncertainty of the incident angle between the directions of ground motion and the reference axes of the structure. Different assumed seismic incidences can result in different peak values within the scope of design spectrum analysis for a given structure and earthquake ground motion record combination. Using time history analysis to determine the maximum structural responses excited by a given earthquake record requires repetitive calculations to determine the critical incident angle. This paper presents a transformation approach for relatively accurate and rapid determination of the maximum peak responses of a linear structure subjected to three-dimensional excitations within all possible seismic incident angles. The responses can be deformations, internal forces, strains and so on. An irregular building structure model is established using SAP2000 program. Several typical earthquake records and an artifi cial white noise are applied to the structure model to illustrate the variation of the maximum structural responses for different incident angles. Numerical results show that for many structural parameters, the variation can be greater than 100%. This method can be directly applied to time history analysis of structures using existing computer software to determine the peak responses without carrying out the analyses for all possible incident angles. It can also be used to verify and/or modify aseismic designs by using response spectrum analysis.     

不规则框架结构的组合隔震反应分析

为研究不规则框架隔震结构的地震反应,分别对一个传统抗震结构、一个铅芯叠层橡胶支座隔震结构和四个组合隔震结构(隔震层由铅芯支座和滑板支座组成)进行了弹塑性地震反应时程分析,研究隔震支座参数对隔震效果的影响。结果表明:采用组合隔震技术时,合理选择隔震层的铅芯支座布置位置、滑板支座的摩擦系数和铅芯叠层橡胶支座的型号,可以有效地降低上部结构的扭转效应;对于不规则的建筑隔震结构,为减小地面运动带来的扭转效应,建议采用由铅芯支座和滑板支座组合而成的隔震层,可对上部结构的扭转起到很好的抑制作用。     

Comparative study of the inelastic response of base isolated buildings

This article presents a numeric comparative study of the inelastic structural response of base isolated buildings. The comparative study includes the following isolation systems: laminated rubber bearings, New Zealand one, pure friction and the frictional pendulum ones. The study is based on obtaining non‐linear response spectra for various design parameters using six earthquake records. Usually the base isolation of a new building seeks to maintain the structure in the linear elastic range. The response of old weak buildings or the response of new ones subjected to extreme earthquakes may not be, necessarily, in the aforementioned ideal elastic range. Consequently, it is important to characterize the response of isolated buildings responding inelastically. A conclusion from this research is that the isolators affect significantly the structural response of weak systems. Rubber isolators seem slightly less sensitive to plastification that may occur in the structure compared to friction isolators. Ductility demands in the structure are affected significantly by friction and neoprene protected systems, in particular sliding ones where larger demands are obtained. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Probabilistic evaluation of soil–foundation–structure interaction effects on seismic structural response

Complex seismic behaviour of soil–foundation–structure (SFS) systems together with uncertainties in system parameters and variability in earthquake ground motions result in a significant debate over the effects of soil–foundation–structure interaction (SFSI) on structural response. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of foundation flexibility on the structural seismic response by considering the variability in the system and uncertainties in the ground motion characteristics through comprehensive numerical simulations. An established rheological soil‐shallow foundation–structure model with equivalent linear soil behaviour and nonlinear behaviour of the superstructure has been used. A large number of models incorporating wide range of soil, foundation and structural parameters were generated using a robust Monte‐Carlo simulation. In total, 4.08 million time‐history analyses were performed over the adopted models using an ensemble of 40 earthquake ground motions as seismic input. The results of the analyses are used to rigorously quantify the effects of foundation flexibility on the structural distortion and total displacement of the superstructure through comparisons between the responses of SFS models and corresponding fixed‐base (FB) models. The effects of predominant period of the FB system, linear vs nonlinear modelling of the superstructure, type of nonlinear model used and key system parameters are quantified in terms of different probability levels for SFSI effects to cause an increase in the structural response and the level of amplification of the response in such cases. The results clearly illustrate the risk of underestimating the structural response associated with simplified approaches in which SFSI and nonlinear effects are ignored. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于汶川地震的LRB与RB隔震连续梁桥地震响应对比研究

为了研究铅芯橡胶支座(LRB)和板式橡胶支座(RB)对连续梁桥地震响应及隔震效果的影响,分别采用Bouc - Wen滞回恢复力模型模拟LRB的力-位移非线性特性,采用直线型恢复力模型模拟RB的本构关系,通过结构离散建立了非隔震、LRB隔震和RB隔震3种连续梁桥的有限元计算模型,运用四阶显式Runge - Kutta迭代法和Newmark时间积分法联合求解增量形式的全桥动力微分方程,并结合算例对3种连续梁桥有限元计算模型分别输入汶川地震波进行非线性时程对比分析.结果表明:LRB在控制梁体与支座位移,降低结构加速度和墩、台底内力响应方面均比RB的效果要显著;采用RB隔震后,梁体与支座的位移响应均较大,在桥梁隔震设计时要予以充分重视.     

隔震减震主次结构体系非线性随机地震反应分析

为研究隔震、减震装置非线性恢复力特性对2自由度主次结构体系均方根位移反应的影响规律,以隔震、减震装置微分型恢复力模式的滞回参数为变量,地震地面运动模拟成高斯白噪声过程,利用等效线性化方法得到主体结构和二次结构均方根位移反应的表达式.分析表明,主体结构隔震装置非线性恢复力特征对主、次结构的均方根位移反应的影响占主导地位;隔震、减震装置的恢复力特征产生适度非线性有利于减小主、次结构的均方根位移反应.     

非一致地震激励地下综合管廊振动台模型试验研究(Ⅱ)——试验结果

本文以纵向非一致地震激励试验为主,对地下综合管廊振动台模型试验结果进行了分析,包括模型场地的加速度响应、结构的应变响应、结构和场地加速度响应关系、结构应变响应的原因、结构接头位移响应、结构在纵向非一致激励和一致激励下应变响应的区别。结果分析表明,本试验模型场地及模型结构设计合理,从中得到了关于地下综合管廊非一致地震激励作用下响应规律的一些新内容。     

Observation and numerical analysis of soil-structure interaction of a reinforced concrete tower

A vast amount of earthquake response records of an observation tower are used together with microtremor data to investigate various aspects of the dynamic behaviour of the soil-structure system. It is found that separation of the soil from the structure occurs under large dynamic loads, leading to changes in the predominant frequency of the system. As a result of the decreasing of the soil support at the side walls of the foundation, the stress caused by the structural weight on the bottom soil increases during earthquakes. With regard to its practical applicability, a linear sway-rocking model is applied for numerical modelling of the soil-structure system. Alterations in the soil support as a result of soil non-linearity and separation of the structure from the soil are investigated by comparing recorded and simulated structural response. The influence of each of these factors on the softening of the soil support is distinctly assessed. An empirical relationship between the peak ground velocity and the soil constants for earthquake excitations of different magnitude is presented.     

Efficiency of base isolation systems in structural seismic protection and energetic assessment

This paper concerns the seismic response of structures isolated at the base by means of High Damping Rubber Bearings (HDRB). The analysis is performed by using a stochastic approach, and a Gaussian zero mean filtered non‐stationary stochastic process is used in order to model the seismic acceleration acting at the base of the structure. More precisely, the generalized Kanai–Tajimi model is adopted to describe the non‐stationary amplitude and frequency characteristics of the seismic motion. The hysteretic differential Bouc–Wen model (BWM) is adopted in order to take into account the non‐linear constitutive behaviour both of the base isolation device and of the structure. Moreover, the stochastic linearization method in the time domain is adopted to estimate the statistical moments of the non‐linear system response in the state space. The non‐linear differential equation of the response covariance matrix is then solved by using an iterative procedure which updates the coefficients of the equivalent linear system at each step and searches for the solution of the response covariance matrix equation. After the system response variance is estimated, a sensitivity analysis is carried out. The final aim of the research is to assess the real capacity of base isolation devices in order to protect the structures from seismic actions, by avoiding a non‐linear response, with associated large plastic displacements and, therefore, by limiting related damage phenomena in structural and non‐structural elements. In order to attain this objective the stochastic response of a non‐linear n‐dof shear‐type base‐isolated building is analysed; the constitutive law both of the structure and of the base devices is described, as previously reported, by adopting the BWM and by using appropriate parameters for this model, able to suitably characterize an ordinary building and the base isolators considered in the study. The protection level offered to the structure by the base isolators is then assessed by evaluating the reduction both of the displacement response and the hysteretic dissipated energy. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Minimal structural response under random excitation using the vibration absorber

The equations of motion are derived for the first mode response of a linear multistorey structure having a linear vibration absorber attached to the roof. Furthermore, the variance of the first mode response to a gaussian white noise lateral base acceleration (as a model of earthquake excitation) is determined. Smallest possible values of the variance of the response along with corresponding absorber parameters are established using an optimization program. It is demonstrated that the absorber is quite effective in reducing first mode response for 5- and 10-storey structures even with relatively small values of the absorber mass. Moreover, minimal responses for the randomly excited single-degree-of-freedom system have been determined, and a design example is presented. The absorber system has potential application not only in earthquake engineering but also in aerospace and terrestrial vehicle design.     

Optimal design and performance evaluation of systems with Tuned Mass Damper Inerter (TMDI)

The paper concerns the optimal design and performance evaluation of a Tuned Mass Damper Inerter (TMDI) to reduce dynamic vibrations. The system exploits properties of the inerter, a two‐terminal mechanical device able to produce a force proportional to the relative acceleration between terminals, with the ability of generating an apparent mass even two orders of magnitude greater than its own physical mass. A primary single‐degree‐of‐freedom structure is equipped with a classical linear Tuned Mass Damper (TMD), the secondary structure, whose mass is connected to the ground via an inerter. The optimal design of the TMDI is conducted by assuming a white noise process as base input and utilizing three different design methodologies: displacement minimization, acceleration minimization and maximization of the ratio between the energy dissipated in the secondary system and the total input energy. Optimal results obtained with the different methodologies are carried out and compared. Two limit cases are also considered when the inerter is not contemplated: conventional and non‐conventional TMDs, characterized by a low and a large mass ratio, respectively. The TMDI performance is evaluated and compared with conventional and non‐conventional TMDs; moreover, its robustness is assessed with a sensitivity analysis varying the design parameters. Attention is focused not exclusively on the primary structure response but also on the secondary one. Finally, the effectiveness of the optimally designed TMDI is evaluated having considered earthquake base excitation. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of TMDI systems for dynamic response reduction with superior performances and robustness than classical TMDs. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study on effects of damping in laminated rubber bearings on seismic responses for a ⅛ scale isolated test structure

The effects of damping in various laminated rubber bearings (LRB) on the seismic response of a ?‐scale isolated test structure are investigated by shaking table tests and seismic response analyses. A series of shaking table tests of the structure were performed for a fixed base design and for a base isolation design. Two different types of LRB were used: natural rubber bearings (NRB) and lead rubber bearings (LLRB). Three different designs for the LLRB were tested; each design had a different diameter of lead plug, and thus, different damping values. Artificial time histories of peak ground acceleration 0.4g were used in both the tests and the analyses. In both shaking table tests and analyses, as expected, the acceleration responses of the seismically isolated test structure were considerably reduced. However, the shear displacement at the isolators was increased. To reduce the shear displacement in the isolators, the diameter of the lead plug in the LLRB had to be enlarged to increase isolator damping by more than 24%. This caused the isolator stiffness to increase, and resulted in amplifying the floor acceleration response spectra of the isolated test structure in the higher frequency ranges with a monotonic reduction of isolator shear displacement. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamics of elastic–plastic shear frames with secondary structures: shake table and numerical studies

Results from experimental and numerical studies of earthquake‐excited small‐scale primary–secondary structures are presented. The primary structure considered is a plane three‐storey shear frame with a fundamental frequency of 5.5 Hz. The columns of the first floor are built with soft aluminium and they are stressed beyond its linear range of behaviour. After each test the elastic–plastic columns are replaced by a new set of undeformed virgin aluminium bars. The elastic–plastic shear frame is tested with and without an attached secondary structure. The secondary structure is modelled as an elastic SDOF oscillator, and its natural frequency is tuned to the fundamental frequency of the shear frame. Alternatively, the oscillator is mounted on the horizontal beam of the second and third floor. The base excitation of the structural model is characterized by a broad band random process with constant spectral density in a frequency range between 3 and 30 Hz. In the numerical study, the digital recorded acceleration of the base excites the mechanical model of the investigated structures. Numerical outcomes assuming fictitious unlimited elastic material behaviour of the shear frame are set in contrast to results from experiments and computational simulations where the measured non‐linear force displacement relation of the elastic–plastic floor is approximated by a piecewise linear curve. The effect of elastic–plastic materials on the dynamic interaction between primary and secondary structure is shown and the difference to unlimited elastic material behaviour is worked out in detail. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.