CHAPTER - 1

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 General

The concept of base isolation was coined by engineers and scientists as early as
in the year 1923 and after that different methods of isolating the buildings and structures
from earthquake forces have been developed all over the world. Countries such as US,
New Zealand, Japan, China and European countries have adopted these techniques as
their normal routine for many public buildings and residential buildings as well. Hundreds
of buildings are being built every year with base isolation technique in these countries .

One of the world's first base-isolated structures the William Clayton building in
Wellington, built in 1982 uses about 80 lead rubber bearings, but this number depends
on how engineers want to distribute the load.

As of now, in India, the use of base isolation techniques in public or residential

buildings and structures is in its nascent stage and except few buildings like hospital
building at Bhuj, experimental building at IIT Guwahati, Bihar Police Headquarter at
Patna; the general structures are built without base isolation techniques.

Base isolation is one of the most popular and effective means of protecting
structures against earthquake forces. The seismic isolation method is generally preferred
over more traditional methods, which rely mainly on strengthening of structural elements.
This innovative technology reduces the earthquake forces transmitted to the
superstructure and therefore eliminates permanent damage to the structure itself,
protecting contents and secondary elements. Base isolation is thought of as an aseismic
design approach in which the building is protected from the hazards of earthquake forces
by a mechanism which reduces the transmission of horizontal acceleration into the
structure. The system, which has been mostly adopted in recent years, works by
decoupling the building or structure from the horizontal components of the earthquake
ground motion by interposing a layer with low horizontal stiffness between the structure
and the foundation.

Figure 1.1: Base isolation system in a building

Figure 1.2: Behavior of fixed base and base isolated building

during earthquake

The philosophy behind the installation of base isolation is to lengthen the period
of vibration of the protected structure, so as to reduce the base shear induced by the
earthquake, while providing additional damping or reducing the relative displacement
across the isolators themselves. This is why most seismic design codes suggest the use
of base isolation systems that have the dual function of period elongation (period shift
effect) and energy dissipation (increasing damping effect). Moreover, it is required for the
isolators to be stiff enough under the wind loads or minor earthquakes, so as not to create
frequent vibration, which may be inconvenient for the occupants. In addition, these
bearings are also used for retrofitting of the existing structures.

Generally, the base isolators can be grouped under laminated bearings and friction
bearings. Among the laminated bearings, lead rubber bearings (Fig-1) and high damping
rubber bearings are extensively used in practice. The laminated rubber bearings for base
isolation devices are made of alternating thin horizontal layers of natural or synthetic
rubbers bonded to steel plates. In the concept of base isolation, the steel plates provide
large stiffness under vertical load, while the rubber layers provide low horizontal stiffness,
when the structure is subjected to lateral loads (e.g., earthquake, wind, etc.). The flexibility
of the base-isolation structure is usually achieved by providing elastomeric bearings made
of rubber reinforced with steel. The devices are usually subjected either to compression
or to a combination of compression and shear. The great advantage of elastomeric
bearings is that: they have no moving parts; they are not subject to corrosion and they
are reliable, cheap to manufacture and need no maintenance. Of a friction type, friction
pendulum systems (Fig-2) and elastic sliding bearings are very popular. Pictorial
representations of these isolators are: -
 Figure 1.3: Elastomeric lead rubber bearing

Figure 1.4: Friction bearing system

In the base-
isolated buildings,
the laminated
rubber bearings,
being as protectors
of the superstructure, should sometimes be protected from failure or instability because
the failure of rubber bearings may result in serious damage to superstructure. The
evaluation of the collapse conditions is an essential step in designing the rubber bearing.
The collapse of the device can occur either by global failure, due to buckling or roll-out of
the device, or by local rupture, due to tensile rupture of the rubber, through detachment
of the rubber from the steel or steel yielding. Therefore, it is necessary to have an accurate
knowledge of the global characteristics and behavior of the device under maximum lateral
displacement in compression and shear load.

Base isolation technology has emerged in the last decade as an effective method
for rehabilitation of the existing building stock, much of which is constructed of masonry
worldwide and is known to be vulnerable to future moderate or strong motion events.
Vibration isolation has proven to be an economical solution for reducing the seismic
hazard for a number of existing buildings, as well as for minimizing vibration in some
newly constructed ones.

1.2 Principle of base isolation

The basic principle behind base isolation is that the response of the structure or a building
is modified such that the ground below is capable of moving without transmitting minimal
or no motion to the structure above. A complete separation is possible only in an ideal
system. In a real-world scenario, it is necessary to have a vertical support to transfer the
vertical loads to the base.

The relative displacement of ground and the structure is zero for a perfectly rigid, zero
period structure, since the acceleration induced in the structure is same as that of ground
motion. Whereas in an ideal flexible structure, there is no acceleration induced in the
structure, thus relative displacement of the structure will be equal to the ground
displacement. No Structure is perfectly rigid or flexible, therefore, the response of the
structure will be between the two explained above. Maximum acceleration and
displacements are a function of earthquake for periods between zero to infinity. Base
isolation is the ideal method to cater this, by reducing the transfer of motion, the
displacement of building is controlled. Displacement occurs at CG of the structures for
fixed base structures, which will be approx. two-third height for buildings and at isolation
plane for base isolated structures with lesser displacement within the structure. The
displacement and acceleration is controlled by base isolation.

1.3 The concept of base isolation

The isolators work in a similar way to car suspension, which allows a car to travel over
rough ground without the occupants of the car getting thrown around . The main concept
in the base isolation is

to reduce the fundamental frequency of structural vibration to a value lower than

the predominant energy-containing frequencies of earthquake ground motions.
Significantly suppress the structural vibrations
Significantly Increase the Period of the Structure and the Damping so that the
Response is Significantly Reduced.

1.4 Purpose of base isolation

Earthquake load is one of the most predominant load that demands lateral design of a
structure. Again, earthquake load is not controllable and it is not practical to design a
structure for an indefinite seismic demand. Only practical approach left is to accept a
demand and make sure the capacity is more than the demand. The inertial force caused
due to earthquake is directly proportional to the mass of structure and the ground
acceleration. Increasing ductility of the building or increasing the elastic strength of the
structure is the most conventional method of handling seismic demand. So, its better to
increase the capacity exceed the demand. Base isolation takes an opposite approach,
i.e. to reduce the seismic demand instead of increasing the capacity. Controlling ground
motion is impossible, but we can modify the demand on structure by preventing/reducing
the motions being transferred to the structure from foundations.
1.5 Advantages of base isolation

Reduces the seismic demand of structure, thereby reducing the cost of structure.
Lesser displacements during an earthquake.
Improves safety of structures
Reduces the damages caused during an earthquake. This helps in maintaining the
performance of structure after event.
Enhances the performance of structure under seismic loads.
Preservation of property.

1.6 Basic requirements of a base isolation system

Flexibility.
Damping.
Resistance to vertical or other service load.

1.7 Objectives of study

The objective of this study is to determine the following using an experimental shake table
test: -

To prepare an isolator using low-cost and easily available materials.

To check the effectiveness of the base isolator in suppressing structural model
vibrations through shake table test by applying known earthquake motions and
To assess the effectiveness of the base isolators for reducing the lateral-force
demand for engineered building structures in areas of high seismicity.

Chapter 2
2 LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter covers the literatures used to help guide the experiment tests, data analysis,
and conclusions documented in this report. Literatures used in this report includes
previous experimental test results and theory published in engineering journals and text
books, as well as current provisions in the structural concrete building codes. The general
findings of these resources are discussed in the following sections, focusing on the
information used specifically in the preparation of this document.

Falborski et al. (2012), observed in his experimental shaking table study the efficiency
of the Elastomeric Polymer Bearings in suppressing structural vibrations during dynamic
excitations. The reduction in lateral response due to seismic event was measured by
comparing the peak accelerations of two identical model structures with and without
base isolation system. After extensive testing on a shaking table, the structure with the
EPB showed a significant decrease in lateral acceleration. The peak lateral acceleration
was reduced by over 40% during dynamic tests and over 58% during the sine sweep test.
The free vibration test showed a considerable increase in structural damping. The use of
the EPB showed a substantial improvement in dynamic properties by reducing the
structural vibrations

Rao et al. (2001), did an experimental shake table study for the response of the structures
supported on base isolation systems under harmonic excitation. Two base isolation
systems, namely the laminated rubber bearings with steel plates & sliding bearings, are
designed & fabricated. Based on these properties of the bearings, small scale models of
isolated one and two-story steel frame structures are developed. An experimental shake
table study of these models with different isolation devices has been carried out. These
models were subjected to harmonic base acceleration of fixed magnitude (i.e. 0.2g) with
varying frequencies (in the range of 1 to 35 Hz). The experimental response of isolated
and non-isolated models is compared with the corresponding analytical response to
validate the mathematical of the isolated systems. Further, in order to study the
effectiveness of isolation system, the response of isolated structure is compared with the
corresponding response for fixed base
Asl et al. (2014), did numerical analysis of seismic elastomeric isolation bearing in the
base isolated buildings. In this paper, a finite element modeling of the laminated rubber
bearing is presented using computer program ABAQUS, numerical simulation of rubber
bearing test is compared with theoretical formulation.

The comparison of variations of horizontal stiffness of rubber bearing confirms that

simulation results have satisfactory agreement with the test results and analytical
solution. Concerning the numerical results, it can be noted that varying the values of shear
forces affects the horizontal stiffness and maximum lateral displacement which cannot be
observed in analytical solution. By the comparison of the numerical and the experimental,
the validities of modeling and results have been determined. The results of this study
perform that there is a good agreement between finite element analysis and experimental
results.

Paulson et al. (1991), had studied the effectiveness of using base isolators for reducing
the lateral-force demand for engineered masonry building structures in areas of high
seismicity. Two structures of identical configuration were each subjected to a similar
series of three base motions that increased progressively in intensity. One structure was
fixed to the platform of an earthquake simulator while the other was mounted on a set of
four isolator pads that were attached to the simulator platform. Test structures were
constructed at one-quarter scale using model concrete blocks and annealed wire for
reinforcement. Measured accelerations of the isolated structure were notably less than
that of the fixed-base structure for the same input motion. By isolating the structure,
essentially no cracking occurred even for a base motion that caused significant cracking
and yielding of reinforcement for the fixed-base structure.

Measured lateral accelerations of the isolated structure were as low as 41% of

accelerations of the fixed-base structure. The isolated structure amplified base motions
only 35% as much as did the fixed-base structure. Base moments, base shears, and
lateral deflections relative to the base for the isolated structure were reduced to
approximately one-half of those for the fixed-base structure. No cracking was observed
for the isolated structure despite heavy amounts of cracking and yield of reinforcement
for the fixed base structure.
 The small variation in measured frequencies suggested that the isolated system
remained essentially elastic with little damage. The fundamental period of vibration could
be estimated within 10% by considering a rigid system translating on flexible supports.
Lateral force distributions for the isolated system were essentially uniform along the
height of structure, further confirming this notion. Response maxima for the isolated
structure were in close agreement with values read from a linear response spectra.
Histories of force and displacement response could be matched with computed
waveforms assuming the isolated system to respond as a linear, single-degree-of-
freedom oscillator. In summary, base isolation proved to be an effective means for
reducing lateral response of the three-story masonry structures, and dynamic response
measurements helped verify proposed code provisions for estimating response of these
systems.

Kelly (1999), has observed that in the current code requirements for the design of base
isolation systems for buildings located at near-fault Sites, the design engineers are faced
with very large design displacements for the isolators. To reduce these displacements,
supplementary dampers are often prescribed. The codes governing the design of
seismically isolated structures have always been more conservative than those for
conventional or traditional structures, and these codes are now so conservative that the
benefit of seismic isolation- that it provides functionality (elastic-response) for large
ground motion at an affordable cost-may be jeopardized. In an attempt to control the large
code-mandated displacements through damping, isolation system designers are
incorporating viscous dampers. The approximate analysis done by him shows that
additional damping does reduce displacement, but at the expense of increasing floor
accelerations and interstory drifts. It does so by increasing the response in the higher
modes, and it is not often realized that the higher modes in a base-isolated structure are
orthogonal to the base shear, so that reducing base displacement and base shear does
not necessarily lead to reduced floor accelerations.

Makris et al. (2002), in his study uncovered the coherent component of some near-
source acceleration records, and the shaking potential of these records is examined. It is
found that the response of structures with relatively low isolation periods is substantially
affected by the high-frequency fluctuations that override the long duration pulse.
Therefore, the concept of seismic isolation is beneficial even for motions that contain a
long duration pulse which generates most of the unusually large recorded displacements
and velocities. Dissipation forces of the plastic (friction) type are very efficient in reducing
displacement demands although occasionally they are responsible for substantial
permanent displacements. It is found that the benefits by hysteretic dissipation are nearly
indifferent to the level of the yield displacement of the hysteretic mechanism and that they
depend primarily on the level of the plastic(friction) force. The study concludes that a
combination of relatively low friction and viscous forces is attractive since base
displacements are substantially reduced without appreciably increasing base shears and
superstructure accelerations.

Maddaloni et al. (2016) has practically investigated a structure isolated by recycled

rubber devices and magnetorheological dampers using shake table. The proposed base
isolation technology is based on the use of bearings made of a low-cost recycled
elastomer and reinforced with fiber sheets. Bounding the strain demand for such isolators
because of severe earthquakes within acceptable values is a key point of this research,
crucial for the effective application of this low-cost technology to real cases. A set of
natural earthquake records is applied to the base of the said structure using a shaking
table system. The experimental results in terms of base displacement, roof acceleration
and interstory drift are compared with the response of the same structure base isolated
in the absence of magnetorheological dampers. It is found that when the semi-active
control is suitably designed and implemented, the seismic performance of the structure
can be significantly improved. Even if referred to the case study, the conclusions
encourage further investigating the application of the proposed low-cost technology for
seismic protection of buildings.

Patil et al. (2012) presented an overview of the present state of base isolation techniques
with special emphasis and a brief on other techniques developed world over for mitigating
earthquake forces on the structures. The dynamic analysis procedure for isolated
structures is briefly explained. The provisions of FEMA 450 for base isolated structures
are highlighted. The effects of base isolation on structures located on soft soils and near
active faults are given in brief. Simple case study on natural base isolation using naturally
available soils is presented. Also, the future areas of research are indicated.

Pant et al. (2012) have investigated the effects of seismic pounding on the structural
performance of a base-isolated reinforced concrete (RC) building, with a view to evaluate
the influence of adjacent structures and separation between structures on the pounding
response. Seismic pounding of a typical four-story base-isolated RC building with
retaining walls at the base and with a four-story fixed-base RC building is studied. Three-
dimensional finite element analyses are carried out considering material and geometric
nonlinearities. The structural performance of the base-isolated building is evaluated
considering various earthquake excitations. They have found that the performance of the
base-isolated building is substantially influenced by the pounding. The investigated base-
isolated building shows good resistance against shear failure and the predominant mode
of failure due to pounding is flexural
 CHAPTER- 3

3 METHODOLOGY

The methodology adopted was to determine the response of four-storied scaled frame
structure isolated by innovative PVC FOAM bearings by performing shake table test. The
proposed base isolation technique is based on the use of bearings made of PVC FOAM.
A set of natural earthquake records is applied to the base of the said structure using shake
table test. Sine swipe test with varying frequencies has also been done.

3.1 Flow Chart Showing the Steps Performed in Analysis

In order to achieve the required objective of this study, following steps have been
identified. The sequences of the steps have been outlined in the following flowchart
shown in Figure.
 Selection of a
Calculation of
relevant material Construction of
properties of this
to be used in base base isolator
material
isolator

Preparation of
Placing of FRAME Mounting of base
model using
model over this isolator over
steel plates and
isolator shake table
angle sections

Mounting of Performing shake table test

accelerometers and (Shine Swipe test and tests
other transducers at based on previous
desired locations earthquake records)

Analysis of data
obtained after test
3.2 Description of Various components of Closed Cell PVC base
isolation system

3.2.1 PVC Foam

The PVC Foam provides flexibility through its ability to move but return to its original
position. At the end of an earthquake, if a building hasnt returned to its original position,
the PVC bearings will slowly bring it back. This might take long time, but it will return to
its original position.

3.2.2 Hollow PVC Pipe

Hollow PVC Pipe has been chosen because of its plastic property while it
may deform with the movement of the earthquake, slowly it will revert to its original shape,
and it is capable of deforming many times without losing strength. During an earthquake,
the kinetic energy of the earthquake is absorbed into heat energy as the Hollow PVC Pipe
is deformed.

3.2.3 Steel Rod and Wooden casing

Using steel rod and wooden casing with the PVC Foam means the bearings are flexible
in horizontal direction but are stiff in a vertical direction.

3.3 Material Description

Closed cell PVC foam has been used as isolator material. Its properties have been
calculated using In-house Developed Instrumentation Set-up (As shown in below figures).

Test Set-up: -
 Figure 3.1: Set-up under construction for measurement of
lateral stiffness

3.3.1 Material property results: -

Figure 3.2: Final set-up for measurement of lateral stiffness

Table 3.1 experimental data of material
 Force(N) Displacement(mm)

1. 10 0.678

2. 20 1.681

3. 30 2.73

4. 40 3.801

5. 50 4.698

6. 60 6.061

7. 70 6.821

8. 80 8.722
Grapical 9. 90 10.246 representation of the
above results is :-
10. 100 11.472

Slope = lateral Stiffness of material = 7.35 N/mm

3.3.2 Reasons for selection of PVC foam as an isolator material

Closed cell PVC foam is a durable and lightweight rigid material and has a very rigid
structure. Due to its closed-cell foam structure it is very light, highly resistant to moisture
& corrosion and very easy to cut and shape. They dont decay with time and is also fire
resistant. It has superior quality of absorbing vibrations and has good anti shock quality,
thats why I have selected this material. It is suited to heat bending, folding and
thermoforming. It also has very good thermoplastic properties. Closed-cell PVC foam
board is made up of polarized molecules otherwise known as dipoles. Closed-cell PVC
foam takes solid shape due to its linear structure.

3.4 Base isolator

Two different isolators have been built using same material. Isolators are different in their
structural orientations and designs. The used material is Closed Cell PVC FOAM. Hollow
PVC pipe has been used as a base core.

3.4.1 First isolator

Figure 3.3:

Figure 3.4:
Figure 3.5:

Figure 3.6:
 Figure 3.7:

Figure 3.8:

Figure 3.9:
 Figure 3.10

3.4.2 Second Isolator

Figure 3.11
Figure 3.12

Figure 3.13
3.5 Prototype Model

One moment-resisting building frame with total heights of 12 m (4-story),

representing conventional types of moment-resisting buildings are selected for the study.
The frame consisted of one spans of 3 m wide. The characteristics of the prototype
buildings are obtained from the preliminary design of the buildings as per Indian Standard
codes. The characteristics of the prototype buildings have obtained from the preliminary
design of the buildings.

For the purpose of practical experimental study, a 4-storey scaled structural model
is prepared. 4A dynamic similitude between the model and the prototype is applied by
adopting an appropriate geometric scaling factor. Therefore, considering the above-
mentioned specifications of the shaking table, a scaling factor () of 1:10 is adopted in the
scaled model for experimental shaking table tests in this study. The total Height of the
model is 1.20 m with width 0.30 m. The model is made of angle section steel elements
(25*25*3) mm and mild steel plates 2 mm. The steel sections have been arranged in a
square pattern with a spacing of 0.30 m along the longitudinal direction and 0.30 m along
the transverse direction. Mild steel plates have been used as floor slabs, which is placed
at different floor levels. The structure weights 18 kg. The presented four-story building is
mounted on a middle-sized shaking table platform located National Institute of
Technology (Patna). The Shaking table platform is used as the base acceleration system
to simulate the lateral forces and displacements caused by earthquakes.
 Figure 3.14: Structural frame model

3.6 Instrumentation and data acquisition system:

3.6.1 Description of the shake table used:

Biss make 3 axes,6 degree of freedom state of the art shake table is capable of vibration
and seismic studies, including earthquake simulation. Practically any multi axis
acceleration time history can be faithfully reproduced on the system within the envelope
of its technical specifications. This can be from harmonics to 6-axes acceleration records
of actual earthquakes. The shake table over which tests have been conducted, which is
at heavy engineering lab of national institute of technology, Patna is depicted in figure no.
3.15.

Standard features: -

Simulator table size 1.5mX1.5m.

Threaded mounting holes on the table top for specimen.
Fatigue rated actuators.
 Low friction and Low maintenance swivels.
Displacement range 200 mm in each axis.
Fully digitally controlled with servo loop update 2-5 KHz and DAQ rate of 0.5-2
KHz.

3.6.2

Figure 3.15: Shake table

Accelerometers:

For measurement of accelerations at different floor levels, accelerometers have been

placed at different floor locations of the structural frame model. The figure of such an
accelerometer is shown in figure no. 3.16. The properties of the accelerometer are
described here.

Model: PCB triaxial accelerometer

Frequency range: 5%
Measurement range: 490 m/s-2
Measurement accuracy: 0.006 m/s-2
Operating temperature: -54 to +121 C
 Figure 3.16: Accelerometer

Shaking Table Tests on the Fixed-Base Model Structures: -

A 3-D experimental model was generated, which consisted of horizontal mild steel plates
as the floors and four vertical steel angle sections as the columns. Grade 250 steel plates
have adopted in the design; according to Indian Standard (IS: 800-2007). The thickness
of the steel plates has been calculated in the design process after several trial and error
cycles to fit the required natural frequency and mass of the model structures. The
connections between the columns and floors are provided using arch welding taking into
consideration construction limitations and the thickness of the steel plates.

After the numerical modeling and design, the structural models are constructed in-
house. The first stage of the shaking table tests is carried out under the fixed-base
condition in which the constructed structures are directly fixed on top of the shaking table.

After ensuring the adequacy of the structural model dynamic characteristics to

model the prototype, shaking table tests are performed by applying scaled earthquake
acceleration records of previous earthquakes and sine swipe tests. Acceleration records
of the El Centro (California, USA) 1940, Chi-Chi (Central Taiwan) 1999 and MDR (Nepal)
2015 earthquakes have been used to perform shake table test of the fixed-base structural
models. The arrangement of accelerometers is done in the model structures to take the
readings of the accelerations at different locations, which is the outcome of accelerometer
with the fixed-base models. The final setup of the tests, including the accelerometers at
various levels of the structural model for the 4-story isolated foundation system on the
shaking table. The peak accelerations experienced by the structure is measured.

Shaking Table Tests on the Base-isolated Model Structures

In this test, base isolators are first mounted on the shake table and then the structural
model is mounted over these isolators. Acceleration transducers are placed on the model
at desired locations. Then shake table tests are performed by applying scaled earthquake
acceleration records of previous earthquakes and by applying sine swipe tests. Previous
earthquake records of El Centro (California, USA) 1940, Chi-Chi (Central Taiwan) 1999
and MDR (Nepal) 2015 has been used in the shaking table test. The peak accelerations
experienced by the structures is measured. The responses of the model under forced
vibration showed a significant decrease in acceleration at the top of the structure.

CHAPTER- 4

4 Results and Discussion

4.1 Introduction

The experimental procedures described in chapter 3 has been effectively used to

construct two different base isolators with closed cell PVC foam of different colors. The
experimental data obtained from a series of shake table tests subjected to known
earthquake motions has been shown in tabular and graphical form.
The results obtained herein are used to check the efficiency of both isolators in
suppressing structural vibrations. A comparative study is also carried out to calculate the
percentage reduction in accelerations at different floor levels.

4.2 Free Vibration Test

First preliminary investigation to obtain the basic dynamic properties such as free
vibration frequency and damping was carried out. For this a rope was tied to the top of
the frame structure whose other end is tied to a heavy weight which is passing over a
steel rod to act as a pulley system. Due to this hanging weight, rope is tight and tensed.
After sudden cutting of this tensed rope, a drift is acted on top of the frame model
structure. This process is applied with and without base isolation system to allow
comparisons of the responses during lateral loading. The external force was released and
allowed to oscillate until the natural damping of the structure brought the system to stop.
The accelerometer recorded acceleration at the top of the structure until it stopped
oscillating. The natural fr equency of the four-story building frame model structure
without the PVC isolation system was calculated to be 12.35 Hz. The free vibration
showed a significant increase in structural damping.

Because it is not possible to determine analytically the damping ratio for practical
structures, this elusive property should be determined experimentally. For lightly damped
systems the damping ratio can be determined from

..
1 u
= ln i
+ 2j ..
ui j

Where,

= Damping Ratio.

j = no. of cycle between ith and jth cycle.

 = peak acceleration at ith cycle.

+ = peak acceleration at (i+j) th cycle

Table 1: Damping ratios of structural frame model under different isolation system

Free Vibration testing

Damping Ratio [%]

without base
With isolator-1 With isolator-2
isolation

Structural frame model 0.62 17.50 13.40

4.3 Shake Table Test with different earthquake records.

In this stage of experimental investigation, the behavior of the four-story building frame
model structure both fixed and supported by the PVC bearing during different earthquake
excitation was studied. Three accelerometers are mounted at three different locations of
the structure. One accelerometer is at base, one is at top and another is at third floor
column.

Table 2: Accelerations at different floor levels of fixed base structural model

Accelerations (m/s2)
Accelerometer
Location
El-Centro (USA) MDR (Nepal) Chi-Chi (Taiwan)

4th floor column 9.54 8.70 7.36

3rd floor column 7.44 6.83 5.70

1st floor column 5.24 4.96 4.10

Table 3:Accelerations at different floor levels of structural model with base isolator-1

Accelerations (m/s2)
Accelerometer
Location
El-Centro (USA) MDR (Nepal) Chi-Chi (Taiwan)

4th floor column 7.38 6.50 5.62

3rd floor column 5.88 5.26 4.48

1st floor column 4.25 3.94 3.31

Table 4:Accelerations at different floor levels of structural model with base isolator-2

Accelerations (m/s2)
Accelerometer
Location
El-Centro (USA) MDR (Nepal) Chi-Chi (Taiwan)
 4th floor column 7.92 7.10 6.10

3rd floor column 6.37 5.77 4.87

1st floor column 4.63 4.35 3.62

Comparisons between accelerations

Base Isolator with Black PVC Foam

Table 5:Comparision of peak accelerations at 4th floor column

Peak acceleration at the top floor column

of structure (m/s2)
Earthquake
With Base Reduction
Excitation
Fixed Base Isolation (%)

El-Centro (USA) 9.54 7.38 22.60

Mdr (Nepal) 8.70 6.50 25.30

Chi-Chi(Taiwan) 7.36 5.62 23.60

Base Isolator with White PVC Foam

Peak acceleration at the top of structure

(m/s2) Reduction (%)
Earthquake
Excitation
Fixed Base
With Base Isolation
 El-Centro (USA) 9.54 7.92 16.90

Mdr (Nepal) 8.70 7.10 18.40

Chi-Chi (Taiwan) 7.36 6.10 17.10

Base Isolator with Black PVC Foam

Earthquake Peak acceleration at the third floor of

Excitation structure (m/s2) Reduction
(%)
Fixed Base With Base Isolation

(El-Centro USA) 7.44 5.88 20.80

Mdr (Nepal) 6.83 5.26 23.00

Chi-Chi(Taiwan) 5.70 4.48 21.40

Base Isolator with White PVC Foam

Earthquake Peak acceleration at the third floor of

Excitation structure (m/s2) Reduction
(%)
Fixed Base With Base Isolation
 (El-Centro USA) 7.44 6.37 14.40

Mdr (Nepal) 6.83 5.77 15.50

Chi-Chi(Taiwan) 5.70 4.87 14.60

Base Isolator with Black PVC Foam

Earthquake Peak acceleration at the first floor of

Excitation structure (m/s2) Reduction
(%)
Fixed Base With Base Isolation

(El-Centro USA) 5.24 4.25 18.80

Mdr (Nepal) 4.96 3.94 25.60

Chi-Chi(Taiwan) 4.10 3.31 19.30

Base Isolator with White PVC Foam

Earthquake Peak acceleration at the first floor of

Excitation structure (m/s2) Reduction
(%)
Fixed Base With Base Isolation

(El-Centro USA) 5.24 4.63 11.60

 Mdr (Nepal) 4.96 4.35 12.40

Chi-Chi(Taiwan) 4.10 3.62 11.75

accn vs time
1
Acceleration in terms of g (m/s2)

0.75
0.5
0.25
0
-0.25 0 10 20 30 40 50 60

-0.5 accn vs

-0.75
-1
-1.25
-1.5
Time in Seconds

el-centro fixed base

Acceleration in terms of g (m/s2) accen vs time accen vs time

1
0.75
0.5
0.25
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
-0.25
-0.5
-0.75
-1
Time in Seconds

Black PVC

accn vs time accn vs time

Acceleration in terms of g (m/s2)

0.75

0.5

0.25

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
-0.25

-0.5

-0.75

-1
Time in Seconds

White el-centro
 accen vs time accen vs time
0.75
Acceleration in terms of g (m/s2)

0.5

0.25

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
-0.25

-0.5

-0.75

-1
Time in Seconds

Fixed base Chi-Chi

 accn vs time
0.75
Acceleration in terms of g (m/s2)

0.5

0.25

0 accn vs time
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
-0.25

-0.5

-0.75
Time in Seconds

Black chi-chi

accn vs time accn vs time

0.75
(m/s2)

0.5
Acceleration in terms of g

0.25

0
0 20 40 60 80
-0.25

-0.5

-0.75

-1
Time in Seconds

white chi-chi
 accn vs time accn vs time

Acceleration in terms of g (m/s2) 1

0.75

0.5

0.25

0
0 10 20 30 40 50
-0.25

-0.5

-0.75
Time in Seconds

Fixed base mdr

accn vs time
accn vs time
Acceleration in terms of g (m/s2)

0.75

0.5

0.25

0
0 10 20 30 40 50
-0.25

-0.5

-0.75
Time in Seconds

Black mdr
 accen vs time accen vs time

1
Acceleration in terms of g (m/s2)
0.75

0.5

0.25

0
0 10 20 30 40 50
-0.25

-0.5

-0.75

-1
Time in Seconds

White mdr

accn vs time 7x
0.5

0.4

0.3
Axis Title

0.2

0.1

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
-0.1

-0.2
Axis Title

Figure 4.1: fixed base chi chi-1st floor column

 accen vs time-6x
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
-0.2 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

-0.4
-0.6
-0.8
-1
-1.2
-1.4

Figure 4.2:fixed base chi-chi-3rd floor

acc vs time -7x

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
-0.2

-0.4

-0.6

Figure 4.3:fixed base el-centro-1st floor column

 accn vs time
1

0.5

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
-0.5

-1

-1.5

-2

-2.5

Figure 4.4:fixed base el-centro 3rd floor

acc vs time-6x
1

0.5

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
-0.5

-1

-1.5

-2

-2.5

Figure 4.5:fixed base mdr-3rd floor

 accn vs time
0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
-0.1

-0.2

-0.3

Figure 4.6:fixed base mdr-1st floor

accen vs time-6x
0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
-0.2

-0.4

-0.6

Figure 4.7:Black PVC isolator-3rd column

 accen vs time-7x
0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
-0.1

-0.2

-0.3

-0.4

Figure 4.8: Black PVC isolator-1st column

accn vs time-6x
0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
-0.2

-0.4

-0.6

Figure 4.9:Black PVC isolator- mdr 3rd floor column

 accn vs time-7x
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
-0.1
-0.2
-0.3
-0.4
-0.5

Figure 4.10:black Pvc isolator-mdr 1 st floor column

accn vs time-6x
0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
-0.2

-0.4

-0.6

-0.8

Figure 4.11:black PVC isolator el-centri-3rd floor column

 accn vs time-7x
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
-0.1
-0.2
-0.3
-0.4
-0.5

Figure 4.12:Black PVC isolator el-centro 1st floor column

accvn vs time-6x
0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
-0.2

-0.4

-0.6

Figure 4.13:white PVC isolator chi-chi - 3rd floor column

 accn vs time-7x
0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
-0.1

-0.2

-0.3

-0.4

Figure 4.14:white PVC isolator chi-chi - 1st floor column

accn vs time-6x
0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
-0.2

-0.4

-0.6

-0.8

Figure 4.15: White PVC isolator mdr - 3rd floor column

 accn vs time-7x
0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
-0.1

-0.2

-0.3

-0.4

Figure 4.16: White PVC isolator mdr - 1st floor column

accen vs time-6x
0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
-0.2

-0.4

-0.6

-0.8

Figure 4.17:White PVC isolator el-centro - 3rd floor column

 accen vs time-7x
6.00E-01

4.00E-01

2.00E-01

0.00E+00
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
-2.00E-01

-4.00E-01

-6.00E-01

Figure 4.18:White PVC isolator el-centro - 1st floor column

The objective of the study presented in this thesis was to verify the efficiency of the closed
cell PVC foam Bearings in suppressing structural vibrations during dynamic excitations.
The reduction in lateral responses due to known earthquake motions was measured by
comparing the peak accelerations of two identical structural model frames with and
without base isolation system. After a series of tests on a four-story structural model frame
using shake table subjected to various known earthquake motions, the structure with the
both isolation system (isolator-1 and isolator -2) showed a significant decrease in lateral
acceleration.
The peak lateral acceleration was reduced by over 24% during dynamic tests in
base isolation system with black PVC material.
While peak acceleration was reduced by over 17 % during dynamic tests in base
isolation system with white PVC material.
The free vibration test showed a considerable increase in structural damping.
The black PVC foam isolation system showed an approximately 17% increases in
structural damping.
The white PVC foam isolation system showed an approximately 12.5% increases
in structural damping.
The use of the PVC foam showed a significant improvement in dynamic properties
by reducing the structural vibrations. Nevertheless, further experimental study is
required to fully verify the efficiency of this new base isolation system .
With better fabrications, design of better joint connections and outer casing
systems these isolators will show greater suppression of vibrations so that we can
use these isolators in area of high seismicity.
.