Analysis and demonstrative application of a base isolation/supplemental damping technology

As a concluding step of several studies on a special base isolation/ supplemental damping system, where pressurized fluid viscous spring-dampers are coupled to steel-Teflon sliders, the system was applied for the first time to a demonstrative strategic building in Italy. A final experimental campaign was developed to assess the interference of the dissipative actions of the two component devices. The campaign confirmed the linear additive combination implicitly assumed in relevant numerical models. The design and performance evaluation analyses performed on the building showed that maximum base displacements were only just below 45 mm, for the basic design earthquake level. As a result, very simple joints for all the facilities were used. For the same earthquake level, reduction factors of 2.48 and 2.12 on the superstructure response accelerations were obtained for the two main directions in plan as compared to peak ground acceleration. Low base displacement values, and a totally elastic superstructure response also emerged for the maximum earthquake level considered, as well as for the most demanding Italian historical near-fault ground motions introduced as inputs in the final verification analyses. The cost of the building structure resulted to be around 10% lower than the cost of a fixed-base traditional design, as well as of a base isolated structure incorporating high damping rubber bearings. © 2008, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute.