Abstract
Base isolation is a widely-used method used to minimise the harmful effects of earthquakes on buildings. Unlike a fixed base building, a building with a base isolation system essentially decouples the superstructure from the substructure resting on the ground. Then, during earthquakes, the superstructure’s relative displacement is significantly reduced, minimising the structural damage. Auxetics, which are materials with a negative Poisson’s ratio, are known for possessing properties such as high energy absorption. Based on the energy absorbing capabilities of auxetic materials, it is proposed that incorporating them into base isolation structures would positively impact on the performance of the system. Therefore, the article aims to investigate the response of structures under seismic loading incorporating re-entrant hexagon layers into the base isolation system. This is assessed by defining and numerically testing the system using finite element analysis. The models developed for this study represent multi-storey structural steel frames combined with fixed base, conventional lead-rubber bearing and auxetic composite base isolation. Differences in the response obtained from the mentioned systems are highlighted. Results indicate that the auxetic base isolation may improve the dynamic response of structures, although a unique performance is not recorded.
Highlights
The impact of earthquakes on structures has historically resulted in large scale damage, leading to great financial implications and human loss
The response and performance of auxetic type base isolation systems under seismic loading will be investigated
Their performance is evaluated with respect to that of a traditional lead-rubber bearing base isolation system and a fixed base system
Summary
The impact of earthquakes on structures has historically resulted in large scale damage, leading to great financial implications and human loss. The steel plates within the base isolators assist the system by increasing its vertical stiffness Another type of laminated rubber bearing, which is used in this article, is the lead-core or lead-plug rubber bearing. At the centre of the base isolator, a short cylindrical core or plug made of lead is located This system provides a great deal of stiffness under the considerable vertical load from the superstructure and is simultaneously flexible under horizontal loading obtained from an earthquake [3]. This is relatively low and negatively impacts on the bearing’s ability to dissipate seismic energy Due to this property, the base isolation system may incorporate a lead core to provide additional damping to the system. Similar results, indicating the capability of auxetics to reduce the propagation of imposed vibration, are presented in [6, 17]
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