Shaking table test of space double-layer cylindrical reticulated shell with three-dimensional isolation bearing

Abstract

Space double-layer cylindrical reticulated shells (SDLCRS) have undergone rapid development in the four three decades. Significantly different from conventional multistory high-rise structures, such structures are very sensitive to vertical actions. As a result, conventional seismic isolation techniques that aim to reduce horizontal seismic actions are notably insufficient for this kind of structure. In this study, a new three-dimensional seismic isolation bearing was developed that can simultaneously reduce the horizontal and vertical seismic responses of an SDLCRS. To examine the actual seismic isolation effectiveness of the three-dimensional seismic isolation bearing and provide important theoretical, technical and experimental support for practical engineering applications, comparative shaking table tests were performed on isolated and non-isolated SDLCRSs with lower supporting structures. The 2013 Lsf ground motion record during Lushan earthquake and the 1954 Taft ground motion record were selected as seismic inputs. The dynamic responses including acceleration, displacement and strain of the SDLCRS under the input ground motions with different amplitudes were obtained using the shaking table tests. In addition, the seismic damage of the isolated and non-isolated structures was examined to determine the acceleration amplification effect of the structures. The effectiveness in acceleration and strain responses demonstrated that the three-dimensional seismic isolation bearing was very useful for horizontal and vertical seismic isolation. Moreover, the maximum displacement responses of the bearing were less than half of the respective design displacements, suggesting that the bearing still had considerable reserve bearing capacity and could significantly improve the safety of an SDLCRS under seismic loads. The bearing developed in this study not only has excellent seismic isolation performance and post earthquake restoration capability but can also be easily installed and maintained. Thus, this bearing holds great promise for engineering applications and is suitable for SDLCRS that require both horizontal and vertical seismic isolation.