FINITE ELEMENT MODEL FOR RUBBER SEISMIC ISOLATION WITH AND WITHOUT S-SHAPED STEEL DAMPERS

There are novel hybrid base isolation systems proposed to improve the dissipated energy of the base isolation system using different dissipation devices, for instance, shape memory alloy (SMA) wires, ADAS dampers and slit steel dampers. In this paper, a seismic isolator coupled with S-shaped steel dampers (SSSDs) called novel hybrid seismic isolation system, is proposed and investigated. The mechanical property is improved and the displacement of the superstructure decreases compared with the common isolation system. Based on finite element method, the numerical models of seismic isolators with and without S-shaped steel dampers are established in ABAQUS. Meanwhile, numerical analyses under cyclic loading tests are performed. The simulation results showed that, the seismic isolator without S-shaped steel dampers usually has advantages in absorbing the energy, but the deformation is larger. S-shaped steel dampers showed more dissipative energy capacity in the novel hybrid system, which is better than the common seismic isolator. Meanwhile, steel dampers also can decrease the deformation of the seismic isolator to keep the superstructure safe. The mechanical properties of seismic isolator with and without S-shaped steel dampers are obviously different, such as dissipative energy capacity and structural period. The seismic isolator coupled with S-shaped steel dampers has better mechanical capacity to compensate the disadvantages of seismic isolator without S-shaped steel dampers. Therefore, it can be adopted as a reference to solve the problem of safety in the engineering practice.