Site investigation on seismic performance of 7 isolated buildings during the 2022 Luding Ms 6.8 earthquake

Abstract

On September 5, 2022, at 12:52, Luding County in Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China, experienced a Ms 6.8 earthquake with an epicenter depth of 10 km and a maximum recorded peak ground acceleration of 1.3 g. Base isolation, an increasingly popular method worldwide for reducing earthquake-induced structural damage, is the focus of this study. The research encompasses an examination of seven base-isolated buildings in the earthquake-affected region, all employing rubber bearings. The study begins by presenting the spectral data of ground motion near the epicenter, followed by an analysis of its key characteristics. The paper then provides a detailed account of the damage extent in the surveyed isolated buildings, discussing contributing factors. Finally, it proposes recommendations to address pressing challenges in the development and application of base isolation in building structures.