Evaluating the Accuracy of an Equivalent Linear Model in Predicting Peak Displacement of Seismic Isolation Systems using Single Friction Pendulum Bearings

Abstract

This study evaluates the accuracy of an equivalent linear model in predicting peak nonlinear time-history displacement of seismic isolation systems with single friction pendulum bearings. To perform this evaluation, dynamic response of numerical models of 120 isolation systems subjected to 390 strong earthquake ground motions, including motions with pulse and motions without pulse, was analyzed and statistically processed. The results show that the equivalent linear model can partly predict the peak displacement of its counterpart nonlinear model. However, the equivalent model can also underestimate or overestimate the peak displacement. On average sense, the equivalent linear model underestimates small peak displacement and overestimates large peak displacement. It is also observed that the relationship between linear and nonlinear peak displacements depends on ground motion types. Based on the analysis data, equations representing relationship between linear and nonlinear peak displacements at different reliable levels for different ground motion types were proposed. These equations can be used in practice.