Performance Evaluation of the Base Isolation Technique on the Blast Mitigation of Spatial Structures

Abstract

Unpredictable threat and danger may occur in a structural system due to blast loading. Long-span spatial structures are very practical and common in airport terminals, exhibition centers, stadiums, and other public buildings. For high-rise and multi-story structures, horizontal pressure plays a major role in the level of damage to a structure, whereas long-span structures may be influenced by both horizontal and vertical pressure. In the current study, the applicability of lead rubber bearing (LRB) has been evaluated on a low-rise, long-span structure. The analysis is carried out by using the MATLAB Simulink platform. The simulation results indicate that the base isolation system which is usually adopted for seismic control of structures can adequately reduce the structural responses under blast loadings.