Low Cost Friction Pendulum-Type Earthquake Isolation Device With Poly-Curvature Suitable for Light-Weight Equipment

Abstract

This paper describes the results of the response analysis and the experimental tests on the newly developed earthquake isolation system based on the theory of friction pendulum. In Japan, many types of earthquake isolation device or system have been developed and utilized to protect computers, precision equipments and important works of art from the severe seismic attacks. Although the performance of isolation of the each every one of the systems is sufficient, cost of the system is considered generally higher than the user expected and the system requires enough surrounding space to obtain adequate isolation performance. When applying the isolation device to the objects such as display cabinets in museum, computer server racks, bookshelves in library and vending machines which are generally placed adjacent to the wall, it is desirable to set them as closer to the behind wall as possible without decreasing their performance of isolation very much. The friction pendulum type isolation device with poly-curvature has been developed to satisfy these requirements, and the response analysis and the shake table tests have been carried out to investigate the performance of the system.