Seismic Isolation for Small

Reinforced Concrete Structures

A Preliminary Investigation on Material Cost

Advisor:
Advisor:

Investigated and Presented by:

Dr. George C. Lee

Abiel Carrillo

Samuel
Samuel P.
P. Capen
Capen Professor
Professor

Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

Objective
The objective of this
investigation is to show
the effectiveness of a
specific rubber bearing
isolation design of a
symmetrical, low-rise
reinforced concrete
structure in the region of
Algeria, Africa
Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

Motivation for this investigation

One evening
uake
evening in
in May,
May, 2003,
2003, Algeria
Algeria was
was struck
struck by
by its
its worst
worst earthq
earthquake
in 23 years. More than 2,000 people were killed and over 9,000
injured. Many homes were destroyed in the initial quake and
thousands more were damaged and made uninhabitable.

Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

A1

Motivation for this investigation

To explore a system
that could protect
similar structures,
preventing disasters
like this.

Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

Slide 5
A1

Some structures experienced non structural damage, others buckled, other completely destroyed
Abiel Carrillo, 7/25/2004

Objective
As will be explained later,
base isolation in general
can be one of the safest
or most cost effective
ways of designing a
structure in a highly
seismic zone. The results
of this investigation, focus
on a specific example
example..
Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

Overview
o

Method and Codes

Design Loads

Parameters and Assumptions

Base Isolation

Summary of Results

Conclusions

References

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Method and Codes Used

Two possible frames were designed, A and B, and the total
required material was then compared:
A. Moment resisting frame

B. Base isolated frame

Isolator
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Method and Codes

The design steps for base isolation ultimately shift the frames period.

Acceleration is
significantly reduced,
which means that
smaller lateral forces
are developed

Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

Method and Codes

! American Concrete Institute (1999)
For floor system, girder, column and foundation design.

! Uniform Building Code (1997)

For design loads and base isolation design.

! Algerian Seismic Code

For Equivalent static earthquake loading applied to moment frame A

Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

Design Loads
!
Earthquake loads were determined from a
!Earthquake
static lateral equivalent calculation based
on Algerian Seismic Codes.
72
72 kip
kip
40
40 kip
kip

Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

Parameters and Assumptions

Details were as follows:

Steel fy

60 ksi

Conc. fc

3 ksi

Allowable
Soil stress

4 ksi

Occupancy

Offices

Seismic
Zone
27 ft

90 ft

t
0f

Dead Load

12 psf

Roof Live

20 psf

Floor Live

50 psf

Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

Base Isolation Design

There are various isolation methods and devices available
and are being developed, and the Code does not prefer a
type, nevertheless it requires that the system have the
following three properties:
1. Be stable for the required displacement
2. Provide increasing resistance with increasing displacement
3. Does not degrade under cyclic loading

Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

A2

Base Isolation Design

Selected Isolation: High Damping Rubber Bearing

Steel plate

Thin
Thin steel
steel shims
shims
(circular
(circular plates)
plates)
increase
increase bearing
bearing
strength
strength

Rubber
cylinder

Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

Slide 14
A2

There are many others which i encourage you to look at but in the interest of time..
Abiel Carrillo, 7/25/2004

A3

Base Isolation Design

Steps for a Code based design:

1.

Determine and establish parameter-dependent factors.

2.

Select a type of bearing and estimate target values,

such as stiffness, damping ratio and bearing
displacement.

3.

Relate required dimensions of the isolation bearing

unit with target values from step 2.

4.

Detail actual dimensions for isolation unit.

Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

Slide 15
A3

There are many steps but basically...

Abiel Carrillo, 7/25/2004

Summary of Results
The resultant design called for 16 units with the following dimensions:

11 height
12 gage shims

17 rubber diameter
Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

Summary of Results

A
A

A / B weight ratios of main structural elements

Concrete ratio

Steel ratio

Girders

1.7

4.9

Steel in Base Isolated frame is

not continuous

Columns

1.5

3.2

A minimum amount of concrete

required in both columns

Foundations

2.3

1.8

Same rebar diameter, just larger

dimensions

Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

Conclusions

! Base Isolators can be expensive, but the rubber

bearings chosen are very common. The final
design calls for 16 units, which doesnt compare
to having a total of 3.3 times more steel as
required in the larger reinforced frame.

Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

Conclusions
! Results for other structures can vary significantly
Factors that influence structural design:
- Importance of building
- Soil profile
- Availability and shipping
- Height of structure
- Labor
- Site plan
- Architectural requirements
- Other factors
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A5

Conclusions
! Base Isolation also protects non-structural elements and
equipment by reducing the entire structures acceleration
during an earthquake, as opposed to reinforcement
alone.

Frame
Frame is
is still
still standing
standing but
but
non-bearing
non-bearing walls
walls could
could not
not
withstand
withstand the
the strong
strong shaking.
shaking.

Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

Slide 20
A5

include equipment isolation, like in a museum

Abiel Carrillo, 7/26/2004

References
! Paz, Mario. International Handbook of Earthquake Engineering :
Codes, Programs and Examples.
October, 1994; Chapman and Hall. London, England.

! McCormack, Jack. Design of Reinforced Concrete.

2001; John Wiley & sons, Inc. New York, New York.

! Kelly, James M.; Naeim, Farzad. Design of Seismic Isolated

Structures: From Theory to Practice.
1999; John Wiley & sons, Inc. New York, New York.

Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

Acknowledgements
!

- Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake

Engineering Research

! Dr. George C. Lee

Samuel P. Capen Professor

! Civil Engineering Dept. , Univ. at Buffalo

Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

One's mind, once stretched by a new idea,

never regains its original dimension.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes