Performance of bi-directional elliptical rolling rods for base isolation of buildings under near-fault earthquakes

Abstract

Rolling base isolation system provides effective isolation to the structures from seismic base excitations by virtue of its low frictional resistance. Herein, dynamic analysis of flexible-shear type multi-storey building mounted on orthogonally placed elliptical rolling rod base isolation systems subjected to bi-directional components of near-fault earthquake ground motions is presented. The orthogonally placed rods would make it possible to resist the earthquake forces induced in the structure in both the horizontal directions. The curved surface of these elliptical rods has a self-restoring capability due to which the magnitude of peak isolator displacement and residual displacement is reduced. The roughness of the tempered curved surface of the rollers dissipates energy in motion due to frictional damping. The seismic performance of the multi-storey building mounted on the elliptical rolling rod base isolation system is compared with that mounted on the sliding pure-friction and cylindrical rolling rod systems. Parametric studies are conducted to examine the behavior of the building for different superstructure flexibilities, eccentricities of the elliptical rod, and coefficients of friction. It is concluded that the elliptical rolling rod base isolation system is effective in mitigation of damaging effects of the near-fault earthquake ground motions in the multi-storey buildings. Even under the near-fault earthquake ground motions, the base-isolated building mounted on the elliptical rolling rods shows considerable reduction in seismic response. The isolator displacement with the elliptical rolling rod base isolation system is less in comparison to the pure-friction and cylindrical rolling rod systems.