Experimental investigation of a highly efficient, low-cost PVC-Rollers Sandwich (PVC-RS) seismic isolation

Anastasios Tsiavos,Anastasios Sextos,Andreas Stavridis,Matt Dietz,Luiza Dihoru,Nicholas A Alexander

doi:10.1016/j.istruc.2021.05.040

Anastasios Tsiavos, Anastasios Sextos + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2021.05.040

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Abstract

This paper focuses on the large-scale experimental investigation of a novel, highly efficient, low-cost and easily constructible seismic isolation system, defined as PVC-Rollers Sandwich (PVC-RS) seismic isolation. The proposed system is based on the placement of spherical roller bearings between two PVC surfaces in a sandwich configuration. This configuration triggers a desirable rolling behaviour between the rollers and the PVC surfaces, thus isolating the motion of the structure from the ground excitation. The large-scale shaking table investigation of the seismic response of a scaled-down masonry and a scaled-down steel model of a seismically isolated prototype structure using PVC-RS has unveiled the activation of the rolling behaviour of the structure at a desirably low acceleration amplitude of 0.05g-0.1g. The reliability of this low-acceleration response of the structure was confirmed for ground motion excitations of different amplitudes and frequency characteristics. The experimentally tested variation on the amount, the material and the diameter of the roller bearings allows for the implementation of different design alternatives of the presented system, according to the seismic design requirements and the seismic performance objectives for each location.

Highlights

Seismic isolation is a response modification strategy aiming at the decoupling of the response of buildings and bridges from the motion of the ground during an earthquake excitation and the protection of these structures from seismic damage
This paper focuses on the large-scale experimental investigation of a novel, highly efficient, low-cost and constructible seismic isolation system, defined as PVC ‘sand-wich’ (PVC-s)Rollers Sandwich (PVC-RS) seismic isolation
The aim of this study is to propose an innovative, highly efficient, low-cost seismic isolation system that is constructible and applicable to a large number of countries worldwide

Summary

Introduction

Seismic isolation is a response modification strategy aiming at the decoupling of the response of buildings and bridges from the motion of the ground during an earthquake excitation and the protection of these structures from seismic damage. The decoupling behaviour of several highly engineered seismic isolation devices [3,4] has been analytically [5,6,7] and experimentally [8,9,10,11,12] investigated. These investigations have led to the design and development of a wide range of efficient seismic isolation systems, which have been applied in many developed countries worldwide. The elastic design of structures in creases significantly the construction cost of these structures

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