Experimental seismic analysis of a quayside container crane structure using a scaled model

Abstract

The seismic response of a quayside container crane structure, with and without the base isolator, to an earthquake load is investigated through shaking table tests on a scaled model. To this end, a 1:50 scale model is introduced and a base isolator is developed. Then, the experimental study as well as numerical analysis is successively carried out on this scaled model. The results from the experimental work agree well with those from the finite element calculation. Using the scaled model and the designed base isolator, a series of shaking table tests are carried out to investigate the seismic responses to the earthquake loads of the structure and the effectiveness of the base isolator. It is concluded from the experimental results on the scaled model that the crane structure is safe from moderate seismic loads, and the base isolator is effective to dramatically reduce seismic response of the crane structure in terms of the maximum strain and acceleration amplitude to the earthquake loads.