Shaking Table Tests of the Smart Restorable Sliding Base Isolation System (SRSBIS)

Abstract

This article reports on the experimental investigation of the Smart Restorable Sliding Base Isolation System (SRSBIS), proposed for the earthquake-resistant design of structures. SRSBIS is composed of steel-PTFE Flat Sliding Bearings (FSBs), supporting gravity loads while allowing large horizontal displacements, and superelastic Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires, providing the necessary horizontal stiffness and restoring capability. Three different configurations can be alternatively considered based on the arrangement of the SMA elements in vertical, bracing, and horizontal directions.\ud A model scale test-structure has been set up for the system with the SMA wires arranged in vertical direction, representing the isolation units that can be practically used under each column of base isolated buildings. A shaking table test program has been then conducted on the model structure. The experimental outcomes clearly showed that SRSBIS can be reliably used for the passive control of the seismic vibrations of buidlings and other structures

Application of Intelligent Passive Devices Based on Shape Memory Alloys in Seismic Control of Structures

“…A modern base isolation system composed of steel-teflon flat sliding bearings was proposed by Jalali et al [5]; they used SMA truss elements to provide a proper restoring capability. Besides, Cardone et al [6] conducted an experimental investigation of the Smart Restorable Sliding Base Isolation System (SRSBIS) using superelastic Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires, and the outcomes revealed that the SRSBIS can be reliably used in passive control of structures. Dolce et al [7] evaluated the effectiveness of SMA braces in reinforced concrete structures, results from shaking table test demonstrated that SMA bars can provide favorable self-centering capability.…”

Superelastic Conical Friction Pendulum Isolator for Seismic Isolation of Bridges under Near-Fault Ground Motions

“…For example, the SMA-cable-restrained high-damping rubber bearing developed by Fang et al [43] has been first adopted in Datianba #2 bridge constructed in Yunnan Province, China, effectively demonstrating the real-world application of SMA for seismic protection of civil infrastructure. In view of the effectiveness of incorporating the SMA with different isolators for response mitigation [14,[42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52], the advantages of the SMA, i.e., superelastic re-centering and energy dissipation, show the promising prospect of application in structural seismic resilience enhancement [33,43]. Particularly, several superelastic seismic isolators, e.g., superelastic flat sliding bearing [47][48][49][50][51][52] and superelastic friction pendulum [14,[53][54][55][56][57], in which the friction-based isolators are incorporated with the SMA wires/ cables, have been investigated and seismic performances have been analytically and experimentally demonstrated.…”

“…In view of the effectiveness of incorporating the SMA with different isolators for response mitigation [14,[42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52], the advantages of the SMA, i.e., superelastic re-centering and energy dissipation, show the promising prospect of application in structural seismic resilience enhancement [33,43]. Particularly, several superelastic seismic isolators, e.g., superelastic flat sliding bearing [47][48][49][50][51][52] and superelastic friction pendulum [14,[53][54][55][56][57], in which the friction-based isolators are incorporated with the SMA wires/ cables, have been investigated and seismic performances have been analytically and experimentally demonstrated. e SMA utilized in the superelastic friction pendulum is to enhance the re-centering capacity [14,53].…”

Multi‐stage superelastic variable stiffness pendulum isolation system for seismic response control of bridges under near‐fault earthquakes

“…[29][30][31][32] Several studies have revealed that combining the SMA device with isolators is particularly efficient for residual displacement mitigation. [33][34][35][36][37][38][39] Particularly, considering the advantages of the SMA as damping and re-centering components, several SMA-based isolators, which combine the superelastic SMA wire/cables with the traditional friction isolators, have been examined for performance improvement of structures, for example, the SMA-based pure-friction sliding bearing, [38][39][40][41][42][43][44] SMA-friction pendulum bearing, [45][46][47][48][49] which demonstrated the feasibility using the SMA device to enhance the structural seismic resilience. Note that when the pure-friction sliding bearing integrates with SMA, the lateral stiffness and re-centering capability are all dependent on the SMA device, [38][39][40] which means that the SMA device needs to be fabricated using much more amount of SMA wires than the SMA-friction pendulum bearing.…”

“…[33][34][35][36][37][38][39] Particularly, considering the advantages of the SMA as damping and re-centering components, several SMA-based isolators, which combine the superelastic SMA wire/cables with the traditional friction isolators, have been examined for performance improvement of structures, for example, the SMA-based pure-friction sliding bearing, [38][39][40][41][42][43][44] SMA-friction pendulum bearing, [45][46][47][48][49] which demonstrated the feasibility using the SMA device to enhance the structural seismic resilience. Note that when the pure-friction sliding bearing integrates with SMA, the lateral stiffness and re-centering capability are all dependent on the SMA device, [38][39][40] which means that the SMA device needs to be fabricated using much more amount of SMA wires than the SMA-friction pendulum bearing. This is because the SMA used in SMA-friction pendulum bearing is mainly employed to enhance the re-centering performance.…”