Seismic Isolation Research Articles

Horizontal shaking table tests on a four-story prototype structure using multi-dimensional earthquake isolation and mitigation devices

Three-dimensional isolation system (3DIS) has been increasingly applied to civil structures with small height-width ratios, but is rarely employed in the multistory and high-rise buildings due to the lack of efficient control strategy for the rocking effect. In this paper, a simplified analysis model of 3DIS was established firstly to bring insights into the coupled motion mode caused by the rocking effect, and the influence of damping ratio and height-width ratio on the modal frequency was revealed. Then, aimed at weakening rocking motion and improving the seismic isolation efficiency, a novel multi-dimensional earthquake isolation and mitigation device (MEIMD) was proposed, and both the design composition and design principle were given in detail. To validate the effectiveness of MEIMDs, a full-scale four-story frame with a height of 13.05 m and a weight of 70 tons was produced for horizontal shaking table tests. The experimental results indicated that after adopting MEIMDs, the first-order modal frequency was 1.7 Hz, with 68% decrease compared with that of the prototype structure, and the first-order modal damping ratio was above 0.23, about eight times that of the prototype structure. Moreover, the horizontal peak acceleration was significantly decreased for each floor with a maximum reduction of 49%, while the maximum horizontal displacement and rocking response were obviously lower than the limit value specified by building codes. Therefore, the MEIMDs can not only efficiently isolate the earthquake energy, but also ensure the sufficient dynamic stability of the system. This study sheds light on the real coupled horizontal-rocking response of the base isolation system with MEIMDs, and can promote the development and application of 3DIS in multistory and high-rise buildings.

Development of Geotechnical Seismic Isolation System in the Form of Vertical Barriers: Effectiveness and Perspective

This paper discusses the concept of geotechnical seismic isolation (GSI) systems, characterized by new principles of action, to reduce seismic loads on buildings. The advantages and disadvantages of GSIs and their environmental and economic reliability are analyzed. The aim of the study is to develop a geotechnical seismic isolation system in the form of vertical barriers, using a rubber–soil mixture (RSM). The novelty of the work lies in the definition of effective structural and technical solutions of vertical seismic barriers made of RSM, characterized by reliability in providing seismic isolation. The ground and superstructure interactions are modeled in PLAXIS 2D software from 2021, using the finite element method, using the accelerogram of the Kobe and Northridge earthquakes. The results confirm the positive impact of using an RSM as an effective GSI geometrical. The results show that the GSI system using an RSM reduces horizontal accelerations by 60%. Significant acceleration reductions of 40–60% are also observed when the thickness and depth of GSI seismic barriers are increased. The results of the study contribute to the substantiation of methodology and scientific and technical efficiency of geotechnical seismic isolation as an economically favorable design alternative to the traditional seismic isolation system.

Development of novel low-cost isolator UMELI (unbonded mesh elastomeric layered isolator): experimental investigations

Seismic isolation is a highly efficacious method for reducing the seismic load on structures. This technique is widely adopted to safeguard structures from earthquakes. Despite the promising results demonstrated by numerous isolation techniques, their implementation remains a significant challenge, particularly in developing countries, due to the high costs associated with manufacturing. Therefore, a novel and affordable base isolation technique has been proposed, namely unbonded mesh elastomeric layered isolator (UMELI). UMELI consists of steel mesh sandwiched between the unbonded layers of elastomers, resulting in an affordable isolator to be used for lightweight, low-rise structures. One of the crucial characteristics of this novel isolator is that it does not require a specialised manufacturing process unlike other elastomeric isolators. In the present study, experimental investigations are conducted to evaluate the dynamic characteristics such as dynamic vertical stiffness, equivalent lateral stiffness, and equivalent viscous damping ratio of UMELI. Its characteristics were studied for different layered isolators and are compared with the unreinforced elastomeric isolator. The investigations have demonstrated the effectiveness of the UMELI by increasing its vertical stiffness and reducing lateral stiffness, thereby enhancing the isolation period with the addition of a steel mesh layer.

Application of Supplementary Inerter-Based Damping Devices Alongside Unbonded Fiber-Reinforced Elastomeric Isolators

Earthquakes have always been a menace to the lives and properties of human beings since the beginning of modern times. Several methods have been proposed since to mitigate the various types of seismic hazards, base isolation being one of them. The base-isolated structures being very effective for general far-fault earthquakes, are, however susceptible to high responses under near-fault ground motions; thus, several inerter-based supplementary damping devices have been proposed in this study to be applied alongside a highly nonlinear and effective unbonded fiber-reinforced elastomeric isolators (UFEI) system. The dampers are optimally designed and comparatively investigated with the isolation system for mitigation of a wide range of ground motions to the benchmark structure. Furthermore, two parametric studies were also carried out, which investigated the effect of the inertance-mass ratio and floor connectivity of the grounded damper on various responses of the isolator-damper-structure system. The parametric results are further used to suggest the best configuration and inertance-mass ratios for various dampers for effective seismic mitigation of the aforementioned base-isolated structure. The results show an effective reduction in seismic responses with the use of optimal inerter-based dampers in UFEI-isolated structures.

Experimental and Numerical Research on a Sand Cushion Geotechnical Seismic Isolation System in Strong Earthquakes and Cold Regions

Masonry buildings in high-intensity seismic and cold regions of China face the dual challenges of frost heaving and seismic hazards. To explore the potential of a sand cushion instead of the frozen soil layer to deal with these problems, a cost-effective sand cushion-based Geotechnical Seismic Isolation System (GSI-SC) was developed in this study, where a sand cushion is introduced between the structural foundation and natural soil, while the space around the foundation is backfilled with sand. Shaking table tests on a one-story masonry structure equipped and non-equipped with the GSI-SC system were undertaken to investigate its effectiveness in seismic isolation, where the input wave adopted the north–south component of the EL Centro wave recorded in 1940, and the peak input acceleration (PIA) was set as 0.1 g, 0.2 g, and 0.4 g. It is found that the GSI-SC system significantly reduced the seismic response of the structure, effectively achieving seismic isolation. For a PIA of 0.4 g, the GSI-SC system reduced the acceleration of the roof panel and the inter-story displacement of the structure by 33% and 39%, respectively. Numerical simulations were performed to evaluate the seismic response of buildings equipped and non-equipped with the GSI-SC system. The simulation results matched well with the experimental results, verifying the effectiveness of the newly developed seismic isolation system. The GSI-SC system can provide the potential to reduce frost heave and earthquake disasters for buildings in high-intensity seismic and cold regions.

Experimental investigation of an electromagnetic seismic isolation system with different configurations of inertance

Protecting seismic isolated equipment or buildings in a near-fault area is challenging because of the strong long-period velocity components of near-fault ground motions. These long-period pulses can cause excessive base displacement of conventional seismic isolation systems. In this study, an electromagnetic seismic isolation system with flywheels (EMSIS-FW) was experimentally investigated to reduce the base displacement of isolation systems during near-fault earthquakes. The EMSIS-FW consists of a sliding platform and rotary electromagnetic (EM) dampers, which can provide an EM damping force. With an additional flywheel installed on each EM damper, its moment of inertia can offer a considerable inertance for the EMSIS-FW. The inertance generated by the flywheel can be hundreds of times larger than its mass. Accordingly, the isolation frequency can be adjusted using different-sized flywheels. A prototype EMSIS-FW was designed and manufactured. A theoretical model was also developed to predict its dynamic behavior. Through shaking table tests, this study provided experimental verification of the effectiveness of inertance on isolation systems subjected to near-fault ground motions. The experimental results indicate that an increase in inertance reduces the isolation displacement, but it may increase the isolation acceleration during a typical far-field ground motion. In addition, the accuracy of the theoretical model was verified using the shaking table test.

Effect of Lead Core Heating on Residual Displacements of Lead Rubber Bearings Under Bi-Directional Earthquake Excitations

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the variation in residual displacements (RDs) of lead rubber bearings (LRBs) subjected to bi-directional earthquake excitations when lead core heating effect is of concern. Accordingly, several dynamic analyses were conducted considering isolator response with and without lead core heating effect. A wide range of isolation system properties, several characteristic strength to weight ratios, isolation periods and yield displacements were considered to construct the bi-linear force-displacement relations of LRBs. Ground motions were selected to represent different magnitudes and pulse characteristics. Results were also used to assess the efficacy of code suggested equations to estimate RDs of seismic isolators.

Comprehensive evaluation of seismic fragility in base isolated buildings enhanced with supplemental dampers considering pounding phenomenon

Base isolation is a proven technology effective in minimizing earthquake-induced damage to both the structural and non-structural elements (especially freestanding contents) of buildings. Nevertheless, it has been shown that allowing the flexible isolation layer to endure substantial demand displacements might subject the isolated structure to failure. This vulnerability arises from potential superstructure yielding due to increased deformations and reduced stiffness, such as those occurring through pounding against a moat wall during intense earthquakes. One alternative to controlling these large deformations is to use supplementary dampers at the isolation plane of the building, creating a hybrid base isolation system (HIS), which adds damping to the isolation system. In this research, the seismic performance of base isolated structures with lead-rubber bearing (LRB) are studied in conjunction with linear viscous dampers (LVD). Due to this aim, a base-isolated steel frame with 2 story X-type braces and a surrounding moat wall is modeled with two various configurations: LRB, and LRB with LVD. Fragility curves are developed for an ensemble of near-field (NF) pulse-like ground motions and for the maximum inter-story drift ratio (MIDR) as an engineering demand parameter (EDP). The incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) is conducted to calculate the damage probability of the structure by assuming different threshold values for damage states. It was found that adding viscous dampers to the isolation system balanced the behavior of the structure under near field pulse-type records; resulting in reduced isolation displacement while its adverse effects are insignificant and can be ignored. Moreover, the median spectral acceleration, namely the spectral acceleration associated to a probability of exceedance (POE) equal to 50 %, at the specific limit state, in the hybrid base isolation system is higher compared to the conventional one.

Clutching inertial system for base-isolated liquid storage tanks: Seismic performance and optimal parameters

Liquid storage tanks (LSTs) are susceptible to significant damage during earthquake events, necessitating their continued functionality and additional protection through isolation techniques. The sloshing response and overall base shear of LSTs are critical factors, particularly in base isolated (BI) tanks. This study aims to enhance the seismic resilience of LSTs by leveraging a newly developed advanced inerter-based vibration control methodology for structures. This innovative approach integrates a supplemental clutching inertial system (CIS) with a laminated rubber isolator (LRB). Utilizing an equivalent linearization technique, the study evaluates the equivalent damping and inertance constants to account for the nonlinear behavior of the CIS. These equivalent parameters are then used to assess the stationary peak response of the isolated tank structure, which encompasses sloshing and bearing displacements, forces within the CIS and the isolator, and the total base shear. Further, the analysis employs the stationary power spectral density function (PSDF) model of earthquake excitation by Kanai-Tajimi and the performance of the inerter-based hybrid control strategy is examined by varying system parameters, such as isolation period, isolation damping, CIS inertance mass ratio, and the tank's aspect ratio (i.e., broad or slender). An optimal inertance of the CIS is identified, leading to the least overall base shear for both isolated tank configurations. The impact of these parameters inertance mass ratio of the CIS is also investigated. Subsequently, the isolated tanks are exposed to eleven near-fault (NF) and far-field (FF) real-time earthquake excitations. The study evaluates the CIS's performance as an auxiliary system during these seismic events and contrasts the outcomes with the seismic response under stochastic excitations. The results highlight the effectiveness of the advanced inerter-based hybrid control strategy in reducing the seismic response of isolated tank configurations.

Energy response analysis and seismic isolation strategy optimization of high-speed railway bridge-track system under earthquake action

The formulation and optimization of a seismic isolation strategy is crucial for improving the seismic performance of high-speed railway bridge-track systems (HSRBTS) under earthquake action. In line with this proposition, therefore, this paper studies the seismic isolation strategy optimization of HSRBTS based on an energy response analysis. More specifically, the energy dissipation distribution of common and isolation HSRBTS under different earthquake strength levels is analyzed. The results show that when the peak ground acceleration (PGA) is greater than 0.3g, the seismic input energy of isolation HSRBTS is smaller than common HSRBTS. With the increase of PGA, the total proportion of hysteretic energy dissipation increases while the proportion of damping energy dissipation decreases in common HSRBTS, with the opposite being observed in isolation HSRBTS. Bearings and piers are the main hysteretic energy dissipation components for HSRBTS. Thus, in view of the energy dissipation requirements and structural characteristics of HSRBTS, this paper proposes an energy-based optimization principle. Under the existing isolation HSRBTS, the seismic isolation strategy is optimized to achieve a uniform distribution in hysteretic energy dissipation, while the effectiveness of the optimized seismic isolation strategy is submitted to further verification.

Development of a pressure-, velocity-, and acceleration-dependent phenomenological friction model using experimental data of sliding tests between 11 polymers and stainless steel

This paper experimentally investigates the frictional behavior between stainless steel and 11 polymers. Particularly, the dependence of the friction coefficient on the sliding velocity, pressure, and acceleration is quantified. The novelty of this work lies in quantifying the acceleration-dependent nature of friction, correlating it to the well-documented Stick-Slip effect. The experimental setup consisted of two parallel stiff steel beams, one above the other, with a separation of 95 mm, and steel surfaces welded at the inner sides for sliding the polymers. Cylindrical polymer pads were placed between the stainless-steel surfaces and connected to a dynamic actuator to apply the displacement protocol. The protocol consisted of consecutive nominally constant-velocity ramp cycles covering velocities from 1 mm/s to 300 mm/s (with 20 mm/s increments). An additional vertical force was applied with a hydraulic actuator to reach nominal pressures in the polymers between 5 and 80 MPa. The results showed that the friction coefficient depends on the velocity, pressure, and acceleration of the motion, and a phenomenological model on these three variables is proposed. The velocity dependence can be represented through a logarithmic relationship, while the pressure dependence is through an exponential decay relationship. The acceleration dependence was represented through a linear relationship, which could capture the stick-slip effect. Overall, this work contributes to a better understanding of friction for seismic isolation systems. Since friction is the main source of energy dissipation in such structures, the proposed model will allow a higher accuracy in predicting variables of interest during the dynamic analyses of seismically isolated structures with frictional systems.

Advanced seismic control strategies for smart base isolation buildings utilizing active tendon and MR dampers

This paper investigates the seismic behaviour of a five-storey shear building that incorporates a base isolation system. Initially, the study considers passive base isolation and employs a multi-objective archived-based whale optimization algorithm called MAWOA to optimize the parameters of base isolation. Subsequently, a novel model is proposed, which incorporates an interval type-2 Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy logic controller (IT2TSFLC) utilizing clustering techniques. The building includes Magneto-rheological (MR) dampers installed at the base isolation level and two active tendons positioned on the first and second storeys of the structure. The semi-active control force of the base isolation with MR dampers is determined by the fuzzy system, while the active control force for the active tendons is computed using the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) algorithm, enabling control force provision during seismic events. The primary objective of this model is to enhance the seismic control of the building. Therefore, it is classified as a proposed model. The structural system is subjected to seismic analyses, considering three different structural configurations: uncontrolled, equipped with passive base isolation, and equipped with semi-active base isolation combining MR dampers and active tendons. The findings of the research demonstrate that by considering the optimization of parameters of the passive base isolation based on the white noise scenario and using these parameters as design parameters, during seismic analysis of the structure in some earthquakes, increased structural responses were observed when compared to uncontrolled structure, highlighting a potential risk. Nevertheless, the proposed system effectively addresses this drawback of passive control systems by markedly reducing structural responses, as compared to both passive base isolation and uncontrolled structure. These results suggest that the proposed system is an effective solution for mitigating seismic risks in structural seismic control.

Optimal control of base-isolated systems with sliding TLCD under stochastic process

In this study, an innovative hybrid passive vibration control strategy, combining a base-isolated (BI) structure with a novel sliding version of a Tuned Liquid Column Damper (STLCD) to enhance the dynamic performance of BI structures, is explored from both theoretical and experimental perspectives. In contrast to conventional fixed TLCDs, the proposed STLCD consists of a U-shaped tank partially filled with water, mounted on a roller support, and linked to the BI subsystem through a spring-dashpot system. This configuration results in a more versatile tuning procedure utilizing the spring for tuning and obtaining supplementary damping through the dashpot. The optimal design of the STLCD device is discussed assuming a Gaussian white noise process as base excitation and the credibility of the presented mathematical formulation is assessed through a shaking table testing campaign, carried out at the Laboratory of Experimental Dynamics at the University of Palermo (Italy). For the experimentation, a reduced-scale model of a BI structure with the integrated STLCD is constructed, and its effectiveness is experimentally evaluated. Finally, comparisons to traditional TLCDs and TMDs are presented, emphasizing control efficiency and the reduction of base displacement in the BI system.

Development of Fragility Curves and Assessment of Mass Irregular Structures with Fixed Base and Base Isolated Under Multiple Earthquakes

ABSTRACT Structures are usually built to withstand the mainshock, aftershocks offer extra difficulties. Aftershocks frequently occur following an earthquake result in multiple earthquakes, therefore they are not isolated events. Due to damage advancement, and stiffness and strength deterioration, a damaged structure might collapse under a multiple earthquakes. Based to a probabilistic perspective, the current study investigates the effect of multiple earthquakes on the likelihood of buildings to collapse. This study’s primary objective is to determine how multiple earthquakes affect fixed- and base-isolated structures. In this context, recorded 14 single and 7 multiple earthquakes with various properties were used to examine and assess three-dimensional reinforced concreteframes with four-storey, having fixed base and isolated base. Dynamic analysis, of the three-dimensional structures are carried out in SAP2000. Fragility curves for fixed base and base isolated structures were produced using the incremental dynamic analysis approach. To find the effect of mass irregularity due to single and multiple earthquakes, mass irregularity is placed at every floor level in each structure. The results are compared in terms of floor displacements, floor accelerations, storey drift, base shear, residual displacement, and probability of collapse for fixed base and base isolated structures. The findings highlight the importance of analyzing the structures subjected to multiple earthquakes. The probability of collapse is reduced for mass irregular structures with base isolation in comparison with fixed base structures, when subjected to multiple earthquakes. The designer’s should select base isolation over the fixed base system when the building’s location may suffer multiple earthquakes more frequently.

Alternatives for Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Recycled Rubber Seismic Isolators.

Base isolators, traditionally made from natural rubber reinforced with steel sheets (SERIs), mitigate energy during seismic events, but their use in developing countries has been limited due to high cost and weight. To make them more accessible, lighter, cost-effective reinforcement fibers have been utilized. Additionally, the increasing use of natural rubber has caused waste storage and disposal issues, contributing to environmental pollution and disease spread. Exploring recycled rubber matrices as alternatives, this study improves seismic isolators' mechanical properties through modified reinforcements and layer adhesion. Eight reinforcement materials and eight adhesives, which may be activated with or without heat application, are systematically evaluated. Employing the chosen reinforcements and adhesives, prototypes are tested mechanically to examine their vertical and horizontal performance through cyclic compression and cyclic shear testing. Two innovative devices using recycled rubber matrices were developed, one using a layering technique and another through a monolithic approach shaped with heat and pressure. Both integrate a fiberglass mesh reinforced with epoxy resin; one employs a heat-activated hybrid adhesive, while the other uses a cold bonding adhesive. These prototypes exhibit potential in advancing seismic isolation technology for low-rise buildings in developing countries, highlighting the viability of recycled materials in critical structural applications.

Nonlinear seismic assessment for nuclear power plants with structural-geotechnical hybrid isolation strategy

Improving the seismic resilience of nuclear power plants (NPP) to withstand super-strong earthquakes is critical for ensuring nuclear safety. Seismic isolation can effectively enhance the structural seismic margins and has significant potential for development in NPPs. Although three-dimensional (3D) base isolation can effectively isolate tri-directional ground motion, it also faces challenges such as the limitations of horizontal and vertical displacements of the isolation layer under super-strong earthquakes. In this paper, a novel hybrid passive control strategy that combines 3D base isolation with geotechnical seismic isolation (GSI) systems is proposed. Furthermore, a nonlinear soil-structure interaction analysis method is developed and the program is validated using numerical examples. Finally, a nonlinear dynamic analysis of a large-scale nuclear island building at a non-bedrock site is conducted to investigate the seismic mitigation effects of a hybrid isolation system under super-strong earthquakes. The research findings demonstrate a significant improvement in the isolation effectiveness of the proposed strategy compared to 3D base isolation, which further reduces the tri-directional seismic responses of NPPs while also exhibits the ability to control the deformation in the isolation layer. The proposed hybrid isolation system can significantly improve the ability of NPPs to withstand super-strong earthquakes and provide support for the hybrid seismic isolation design of NPPs.

Assessment of the Compound Damping of a System with Parallelly Coupled Anti-Seismic Devices

(1) Background: Romanian earthquakes caused severe damage over time to a significant number of constructions, and that is why efforts are being made to make structural systems safer. (2) Methods: For structural systems with protection against seismic actions or vibrational actions that have linear viscous dissipation devices, the requirement to assess the equivalent modal damping rate for the entire functional assembly related to the other dynamic parameters arises. (3) Results: This article presents the analytical development of formulas for the compound damping and circular frequency when anti-seismic devices have different dynamic characteristics and their application in order to solve some real engineering cases of bridges and viaducts in Romania with distinct viscoelastic supports. In support of this idea, some experimental tests on a beam system resting on two different anti-seismic elastic supports highlighted the fact that the compound damping of the system can be calculated with the relations established in this paper, provided that the displacements in the horizontal direction of excitation are in the linear domain. Also, we determined the seismic response considering the Vrancea 1977 accelerogram for critical damping ratios of 5% and 18.5%, and then we obtained the variation in the factor of transmissibility depending on the frequency, in order to highlight the optimized value of the equivalent amortization/damping. (4) Conclusions: In the specific context of Romanian seismicity, seismic isolation through the use of isolators with different characteristics represents an optimal technical solution, and it is also optimal from an economic point of view, with an appropriate level of dynamic isolation obtained.

Multi-layered solid element for seismic analysis of rubber bearings considering stress continuity based on finite particle method

Rubber bearings are crucial components in seismic isolation systems to mitigate the damaging effects of earthquakes on structures. Rubber bearings generally consist of alternate layers of steel and rubber bonded together. Simplified two-point spring models omit this layered construction and have limitations in adaptability and programmability, while refined multiple solid models lead to substantial computational costs. This study presents an effective and efficient approach to simulate rubber bearings by using multi-layered solid element based on the finite particle method (FPM). The traditional “Zigzag” shape function is extended into the 3D situation to reflect the serrated deformation within the layered construction. Based on the simplified assumption of stress continuity, an iterative approach is presented for the deformation gradient to achieve the force continuity between layers in dynamic nonlinear scenarios. The multi-layered solid models for both natural rubber bearings (NRBs) and lead rubber bearings (LRBs) are proposed based on this element. The errors of the hysteresis curves of rubber bearings are below 3.1 % between the numerical results obtained by using the multi-layered solid model and the experimental results. The computational speedup ratio of the proposed multi-layered solid model is verified to be 19 relative to the refined multiple solid model. The proposed method is applied to a base-isolated frame structure to demonstrate its effectiveness in structural seismic analysis.

Seismic Isolators Layout Optimization Using Genetic Algorithm Within the Pymoo Framework

In most previous studies, seismic base isolation system optimization has mainly focused on determining isolation layer parameters. However, the subsequent steps of isolator device selection and positioning can significantly impact overall system performance. To address these shortcomings, we propose an alternative optimization approach demonstrated through two models: regular and irregular 8-storey reinforced concrete structures. This approach utilizes the Pymoo framework and commercially available isolators to find optimal isolator layout configurations in two steps. First, using the equivalent lateral force (ELF) procedure, an initial population of seismic isolators meeting shear strain, base shear coefficient, and buckling requirements was randomly selected from suppliers' elastomeric bearing catalogs. Second, the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) was used to improve the seismic response of the models under the fast nonlinear analysis (FNA) method by minimizing peak roof acceleration, inter-story drift ratio, displacement of the isolated base layer, as well as maximizing the fundamental period. The results underscore the effectiveness of this approach in improving seismic response. Compared to fixed-base structures, the optimal solutions achieved more than double the fundamental period, reduced peak roof acceleration by over 70%, and diminished base shear force by approximately 50%. This methodology can serve as a reference for future research across various structure types, including hybrid isolation systems and steel structures. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-08-07 Full Text: PDF

Compact inertial sensors for measuring external disturbances of physics experiments

Compact, high-precision inertial sensors are needed in the control schemes of many modern physics experiments to isolate them from disturbances caused by seismic motion. We present an inertial sensor whose mechanical oscillator fits on a one-inch diameter optic. The oscillators achieve a mechanical Quality factor of a fundamental oscillation mode of 600,000 and a resonance frequency of 50 Hz, giving them a suspension thermal noise floor lower than all commercially available inertial sensors. The motion of this fundamental mode is suitable to encode inertial motion into the sensor readout. The oscillator is combined with an optical resonator readout scheme that achieves a displacement noise of 100 fm/Hz\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\sqrt{\ ext{Hz}}$$\\end{document} above 0.2 Hz. We validate the sensors’ noise floor using a huddle test. Below 20 Hz, the sensor offers comparable performance to the best inertial sensors available today while being a fraction of the size. Above 20 Hz, the sensor is, to the author’s knowledge, the best demonstrated in the literature to date for such a sensor, with a self-noise floor of 0.1 ng/Hz\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\sqrt{\ ext{Hz}}$$\\end{document}. The excellent performance of the sensors across seismically relevant frequencies, vacuum compatibility, and compact size make it a prime candidate for integration into sophisticated seismic isolation schemes, such as those used by gravitational wave detectors.