Development of low-cost base isolation technique using multi-criteria optimization and its application to masonry building

Abstract

Seismic isolation devices made of rubber have been adopted globally to protect buildings and bridges from seismic events. Recent research has focused on many low-cost rubber-based isolation devices for seismic hazard mitigation. While some techniques have demonstrated promising results, their practical application to buildings in seismic-prone rural parts of developing countries remains challenging. The present study proposes a low-cost base isolation technique that is viable and feasible for masonry buildings. The primary objective of the present study is to investigate the use of unreinforced rubber as a seismic base isolator. Initially, the rubber samples with different hardness were procured and tested for Hyperelastic and viscoelastic coefficients. These properties were used to model the rubber isolator in ABAQUS. A parametric study was conducted, and optimized rubber properties were obtained using the weighted sum approach. The optimized rubber is numerically validated with the experiment. The rubber isolator was designed and then modeled to an experimentally validated one-story masonry building. The behavior of building with and without proposed isolators is evaluated by subjecting them to seven spectrum-matched ground motions. A significant reduction in seismic response in terms of roof acceleration is observed. This study indicates the scope for using unreinforced rubber as an isolator for masonry buildings.