Base Isolation
Conventional Construction Practice assumes Fixed Base Structures
The Dynamic Characteristics of Fixed Base Structures are determined by the general characteristics of the structural system The Designer can only slightly adjust those Dynamic Characteristics As a matter of fact, most common Building Structures have unfavorable Dynamic Characteristics that result in increased Seismic Response
Earthquake Performance of Fixed Base Structures
Conventional Fixed Base Structures can not be realistically designed to remain elastic in large seismic events (more so in regions of high seismicity) Common practice is to design them so that they experience damage in a controlled manner and have large inelastic displacements potential
Unconventional Earthquake Protective Systems
Earthquake Protective Systems
Passive Protective Systems
Hybrid Protective Systems
Active Protective Systems
Tuned Mass Damper
Active Isolation
Active Mass Damping
Energy Dissipation
Semi-Active Isolation
Active Bracing
Base Isolation
Semi-Active Mass Damping
Adaptive Control
Base Isolation is the most common System
The Concept of Base Isolation
Fixed Base
Significantly Increase the Period of the Structure and the Damping so that the Response is Significantly Reduced Period Base Isolated
Base Isolation in Buildings
Original Structure
Isolated Structure
Isolation at foundation level
Base Isolation in Buildings
Isolator Components Between the Foundation and Superstructure
An Isolation Interface is formed
Base Isolation in Buildings
Base Isolation in Buildings
How exactly does Base Isolation Work?
Isolators have large Most types of Isolators deformation potential exhibit nonlinear allowing for large behavior drift on the Isolation Interface
Lengthening of the Structures Period and increased Damping that result in a large scale decrease of the Seismic Response
Force Displacement Relationship at the Isolation Interface
actual hysteretic behavior
viscoelastic idealization
Response of Base Isolated Buildings versus Fixed Base Response
Reduced Superstructure Deformations for Base Isolated Structure
Drift on Isolation Interface
Most Common Types of Isolation Components (Isolators)
Isolation Devices
Elastomeric Isolators Sliding Isolators
Natural Rubber Bearings
Low-Damping Rubber Bearings Lead-Plug Bearings High-Damping Rubber Bearings
Resilient Friction System
Friction Pendulum System
Elastomeric Isolators Lead Core Rubber Bearings
Sliding Isolators Friction Pendulum System
Superstructure
Foundation
Friction Pendulum System
Oakland City Hall
First high-rise government office building in the United States Tallest Building on the West Coast at the time of its construction in 1914 324 feet tall Riveted Steel Frame with infill masonry walls of brick, granite and terracotta Continuous Reinforced Concrete Mat foundation
Oakland City Hall
Building was severely damaged during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake Building is listed on the historic register Retrofit had to preserve the interior architecture and the historic fabric of the building Both conventional fixed-base and base isolation retrofit concepts were studied The most economical and effective method was determined to be base isolation
Oakland City Hall
Earthquake Response
Isolation System:
111 rubber isolation bearings 36 of them with lead cores
Fixed Base
Base Isolated
Oakland City Hall
Critical Construction Issues:
Temporary lateral bracing during construction period to safeguard against possible earthquake occurrence Symmetric work sequence was important to reduce the possibility of torsional response in the event of an earthquake Vertical column displacement during jacking was limited to around 0.10 inches to prevent damage to superstructure finishes
San Francisco City Hall
Built in 1915 Today recognized as one of the most notable examples of classical architecture in the U.S. Nearly 300 feet tall Steel Frame with concrete slabs Spread interior footings Strip perimeter foundation
San Francisco City Hall
The original design of the building incorporates a soft story approach at the main floor, intended to dissipate energy This alongside other discontinuities in the structural system make the dynamic characteristics of the building unfavorable The Building was severely damaged during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
San Francisco City Hall
Four Retrofit Strategies were considered
Base Isolation Fixed Base / Concrete Shear Walls
Fixed Base / Steel Braced Frames
Fixed Base / Steel Moment Frames Flexible Story
San Francisco City Hall
San Francisco City Hall
San Francisco City Hall
Based on the results of the analysis, the Base Isolation Scheme was selected as best meeting the retrofit objectives and providing the most favorable performance for the least relative cost
Base Isolation is considered a particularly effective strategy when applied to massive (and rather stiff) structures