Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 100 (2017) 144158

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Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/soildyn

Sensitivity to modelling and design of curved surface sliding bearings in the MARK
nonlinear seismic analysis of base-isolated r.c. framed buildings

Fabio Mazza , Mirko Mazza
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Universit della Calabria, Rende (Cosenza), Italy

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: The main object of this study is to investigate the inuence that dierent modelling assumptions of the curved
Curved surface sliding system surface sliding (CSS) bearings may have on the lateral-torsional response of irregular base-isolated structures
Sliding velocity located in near-fault area, characterized by ing-step and directivity eects with large amplitudes and long
Axial pressure period horizontal velocity pulses. The second aim is to evaluate the eects of dierent design assumptions of the
Stick-slip eect
CSS system. To this end, a six-storey base-isolated reinforced concrete (r.c.) framed building, with an L-shaped
Axial load
Temperature
plan and setbacks in elevation, is designed assuming low- and medium-type friction properties, both with two in-
Near-fault ground motions plan distributions of the dynamic-fast friction coecient, corresponding to: (i) the same value for all isolators;
Nonlinear dynamic analysis (ii) a dierent value for each isolator. Four additional cases are compared reducing the friction coecient in
accordance with a temperature increase up to 250 C during ground motions. A computer code for the nonlinear
dynamic analysis is developed, in order to compare ve models of the CSS bearings that consider constant and
variable axial loads combined with constant and variable friction coecients as function of sliding velocity, axial
pressure and stick-slip eect. A lumped plasticity model is used to describe the inelastic behaviour of the su-
perstructure, including a 26-at surface modelling of the axial load-biaxial bending moment elastic domain at
the end sections of r.c. frame members. Near-fault ground motions with signicant horizontal components are
selected and scaled in line with the design hypotheses adopted for the test structure.

1. Introduction
The application of the curved surface sliding (CSS) bearings is found
to be most attractive due to its conceptual simplicity [1], even if there
are important aspects that require further attention. The main ad-
vantages of CSS bearings in comparison with other base-isolation sys-
tems are the minimization of torsional eects and residual displace-
ments. Indeed, mass irregularities of the superstructure are balanced by
spatial variation in the horizontal stiness of the CSS bearings, pro-
portional to the axial load during the sliding phase, which are able to
recenter due to their concave sliding surface. However, the constant
fundamental vibration period of the CSS system can become critical for
base-isolated structures subjected to large pulse-like earthquakes gen-
erated at near-fault sites, inducing resonance, if it is close to the pre-
dominant vibration period of the ground motion [24], and torsional
coupling, in asymmetric base-isolated buildings [5,6]. The increase in
the friction coecient at the sliding surface of the CSS bearings is an
appropriate means of controlling the isolator displacement, thereby
obviating the use of large isolators [7], but it can induce re-centring
problems [8,9] and it does not guarantee a better performance of the
superstructure in terms of structural and non-structural damage [10].
Avant-garde CSS bearings with double and triple independent sliding
surfaces [11,12], whose dierent radii of curvature and friction coef-
cients are easily adaptable to variable seismic intensity levels, can deal
with larger horizontal displacements better than the CSS bearing.
Moreover, to attenuate the low-frequency resonance of the CSS bear-
ings many alternative formulations have been proposed, shifting the
fundamental vibration period of the base-isolated structure away from
the predominant period of the ground motion [1316].
Current international seismic codes [17] and guidelines [18] allow
for the use of simple bilinear curves to describe the nonlinear response
of the CSS bearings, in order to reduce the computational eort for the
nonlinear dynamic analyses. However, theoretical and experimental
studies have uncovered the complex nonlinear behaviour of the CSS
bearings, highlighting the presence of many parameters aecting their
friction coecient at the sliding surface. The friction force changes
with: (a) the sliding velocity, whose increasing values produce a friction
coecient which increases by an exponential law [19]; (b) the axial
pressure, with a high-velocity (dynamic-fast) value of the friction
coecient signicantly reducing with the axial pressure and a low-
velocity (dynamic-low) value which is relatively unaected [20,21]; (c)
the temperature when the slider is in motion, inuencing the friction

Corresponding author.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2017.05.028
Received 10 March 2017; Received in revised form 24 May 2017; Accepted 25 May 2017
0267-7261/ 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
F. Mazza, M. Mazza
coecient which decreases rapidly as the temperature at the sliding
interface increases from 40 C to 20 C and tends to a constant value
for temperatures greater than 250 C [22]; (d) the stick-slip phases,
producing a transition between static and kinetic friction coecients
whose ratio varies between 1.5 and 4.5 depending on the friction ma-
terial adopted to coat the slider [23]. Moreover, the axial load changes
during an earthquake, producing variations proportional to its current
value for both the friction force and lateral stiness during the sliding
phase.
These considerations show the need for a suitable numerical model
to describe the nonlinear behaviour of a CSS bearing. To this end, a six-
storey reinforced concrete (r.c.) oce building, with an L-shaped plan
and setbacks at dierent heights along the in-plan X (i.e. one setback, at
the third-storey) and Y (i.e. two setbacks, at the second- and fourth-
storey) principal directions, is designed in line with the Italian seismic
code [24]. Low- and medium-type friction properties with two in-plan
distributions of the dynamic-fast friction coecient are considered,
assuming: (i) the same value for all isolators; (ii) a dierent value for
each isolator. Moreover, four additional design cases are compared by
reducing the friction coecient in accordance with a temperature in-
crease up to 250 C during ground motions. A computer code for the
nonlinear dynamic analysis is developed, in order to compare eight
structural solutions through ve models of the CSS bearings that con-
sider: i) constant axial load and constant friction coecient (CALCFC
model); ii) constant axial load and variable friction coecient with
velocity (CALVFC1 model); iii) variable axial load and variable friction
coecient with velocity (VALVFC1 model); iv) variable axial load and
variable friction coecient with velocity and pressure (VALVFC2
model); v) variable axial load and variable friction coecient with
velocity, pressure and stick-slip eect (VALVFC3 model). A lumped
plasticity model describes the inelastic behaviour of the superstructure,
including a 26-at surface modelling of the axial load-biaxial bending
moment elastic domain at the end sections of r.c. frame members. Seven
near-fault ground motions are selected from the Pacic Earthquake En-
gineering Research center database [25] and normalized in accordance
with the design hypotheses adopted for the test structure (i.e. high-risk
seismic region and soil-site).
2. Modelling of the curved surface sliding system
The CSS bearing consists of a spherical concave sliding surface, with
a radius of curvature R (Fig. 1a), and an articulated slider, with contact
surface S and friction coecient . During the sliding phase, the slider
moves on the spherical surface thereby dissipating energy by friction,
while the superstructure translates horizontally (uH). For bidirectional
motion (Fig. 1b) with velocity vector uH , the restoring force during the
sliding phase (FH) contains pendular and friction components that can
145
Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 100 (2017) 144158
be evaluated by the rotational equilibrium equation around the center
of curvature C, assuming the rotational angle p to be very small [26].
FH , x N uH , x 1 u H , x
FH =
F
H ,y
R uH{ }
, y
+ N
uH
uH , y (1)
where N is the axial load on the CSS bearing corresponding to the axial
pressure p=N/S. It is worth noting that the overall force-displacement
law for a double CSS bearing can be obtained by considering two single
CSS bearings acting in series. From equilibrium, the horizontal forces
on each surface are equal but the displacements and velocities are not.
Thus, the same response of a single CSS bearing is generally not ob-
tained even if the same radius of curvature and friction coecient are
assumed for both sliding surfaces (i.e. symmetrical double CSS bearing).
2.1. CALCFC model: constant axial load and constant friction coecient
For constant values of the axial load (i.e. N = W, W being the
weight of the superstructure) and friction coecient, the force-dis-
placement behaviour of the CSS bearing in the horizontal direction (FH-
uH) can be idealized by means of a two-component model (Fig. 2a),
consisting of an elastic component with restoring stiness Kr = W/R
and an elastic-plastic component with elastic stiness Ki-Kr and yield
force W, being =(Ki-Kr)/Ki, assuming a bilinear force-displacement
law (Fig. 2b). It should be noted that the initial stiness Ki takes into
account the slight deformation (i.e. uHi 0.5 mm) at the sliding surface
during the stick phase [27]. Moreover, a circular interaction domain
can be used to represent the biaxial interaction (Fig. 2c), where the
direction of the hysteretic force is controlled by the incremental plastic
displacements [28].
2.2. CALVFC1 model: constant axial load and variable friction coecient
with velocity
The instantaneous sliding velocity aects the friction force of a CSS
bearing (Fig. 3a,b), with a monotonic increase with the sliding velocity
up to a constant value [19]. An exponential law can describe the ve-
locity dependence of the friction coecient (Fig. 3c):
(uH ) = fast (fast slow ) euH (2)
where slow and fast are the friction coecients at low and fast sliding
velocities, respectively, and is a rate parameter which depends on the
axial load and condition of the interface.
In particular, experimental results indicate that the dynamic-slow
friction coecient can be assumed 2.5 times lower than fast [29], while
parameter can be considered equal to approximately 0.1 s/mm in
accordance with the law [8]:
Fig. 1. Equilibrium of a CSS bearing for bidirectional
motion.
F. Mazza, M. Mazza Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 100 (2017) 144158

Fig. 2. CALCFC model for a CSS bearing.

1 fast slow friction coecient of a CSS bearing (Fig. 5a,b), with a reduction of fast
= ln for increasing values of axial load, while the dependence of slow and
uref fast ref (3)
on the axial load can be neglected [20,22]. Specically, a modied
where a reference friction coecient (ref) equal to 80% of fast is as- expression of the friction law can be formulated:
sumed at a reference sliding velocity (uref ) compatible with the max-
imum sliding velocity expected during an earthquake [30]. (uH , p) = kp [fast (fast slow ) euH ] (6)

2.3. VALVFC1 model: variable axial load and variable friction coecient where the modication factor
with velocity
kp = fast (p)/ fast (pv ) (7)
At any given moment during an earthquake, the axial load acting on
a CSS bearing can be modied in accordance with the following ex- is dened as ratio between the dynamic-fast friction coecient during
pression which also accounts for the vertical-horizontal coupling [31]. the motion and corresponding value at the reference axial pressure
under gravity loads (pv).
N
N = W 1 + OM Experimental laws can be assumed to take into account the varia-
W (4)
bility of the dynamic-fast friction coecient with the axial pressure
where NOM is the additional axial load, positive when compressive, due [21], assuming low-
to the overturning moment produced by the horizontal ground accel-
0.834
eration g,H (Fig. 4a,b). It is worth noting that the uctuation in the p p
fast , LF (p) = 2.5 Sd for Sd > 0.100; fast , LF (p)
bearing axial load produces changes in Ff and Kr. p p
Ed Ed
Furthermore, the CSS bearing does not resist tensile axial loads and
p
it is thus free to uplift. A gap element with innitely rigid behaviour in = 17 for Sd 0.100
compression is assumed in the vertical direction (Fig. 4c), to consider p
Ed (8a,b)
the fact that the reversal of the axial load from compression to tension is
possible and medium-type

FV = N foruV 0andFV = 0foruV < 0 (5) 0.563

p p
fast , MF (p) = 5.5 Sd for Sd > 0.135; fast , MF (p)
where the equivalent viscous damping in the vertical direction is ne-
pEd pEd
glected. Moreover, the vertical stiness of the CSS bearing is so high
p
that vertical displacements (i.e. uV > 0) are neglected and innitely = 17 for Sd 0.135
rigid behaviour is assumed in compression (Fig. 4c). p
Ed (9a,b)

2.4. VALVFC2 model: variable axial load and variable friction coecient friction properties, where pEd and pSd represent, respectively, the max-
with velocity and pressure imum axial pressure capacity and the quasi-permanent gravity pressure
(pSd=pv) evaluated in the CSS system.
The instantaneous pressure p due to the axial load aects the

Fig. 3. CALVFC1 model for a CSS bearing.

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F. Mazza, M. Mazza Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 100 (2017) 144158

Fig. 4. VALVFC1 model for a CSS bearing.

Fig. 5. VALVFC2 model for a CSS bearing.

2.5. VALVFC3 model: variable axial load and variable friction coecient
with velocity, pressure and stick-slip eect
At initial motion and motion reversals, the response of the CSS
bearing shifts between sticking and sliding phases highlighting a static
friction coecient greater than the dynamic one (Fig. 6a,b). In parti-
cular, initial sliding occurs when the frictional force, depending on the
breakaway friction coecient (b), is overcome. Moreover, an increase
of the lateral force can be observed when the maximum displacement is
reached, corresponding to the friction coecient at motion reversal
(r). In order to take into account the transition between the sliding and
sticking phase, the following simplied expression can be used
(uH , p , b , r ) (uH , p , r ) = kp [fast (fast r ) ecuH ] (10)
where the dynamic-slow friction coecient (slow) is replaced with the
static value at motion reversal (r) and b=r is assumed, so observing
that the breakaway friction coecient disappears after one cycle of
loading [23]. A ratio r/fast 2 and a parameter c are also assumed
[23].
3. Base-isolated r.c. test structures
A six-storey base-isolated r.c. framed oce building, irregular in
plan (Fig. 7a) and elevation (Fig. 7b,c), is considered as test structure
for the numerical investigation. A grid of beams is placed at the base of
the framed structure on the single CSS system.
The test structure is designed in line with the Italian seismic code
(NTC08 [24],), for the geographical coordinates (longitude 16.2275
and latitude 39.3697) at the site where the building is hypothesized.
The following assumptions are made when evaluating the horizontal
seismic loads: elastic response of the superstructure (i.e. behaviour
factor qH = 1); soil site (i.e. subsoil class D, subsoil parameter SS =
1.416, at the life-safety (LS) limit state, and SS = 1.061, at the collapse
prevention (CP) limit state); at terrain (i.e. topographic class T1, to-
pographic parameter ST=1 at the LS and CP limit states); high risk
seismic region (i.e. peak ground accelerations: PGALS = 0.27gSLS, SLS
= SSST = 1.416 at the LS limit state for the superstructure; PGACP =
0.36gSCP, SCP = SSST = 1.061 at the CP limit state for the for the base-
isolation system). The gravity loads used in the design are represented
by a dead load of 6.7 kN/m2 and a live load of 2.0 kN/m2, on all oors.

Fig. 6. VALVFC3 model for a CSS bearing.

147
F. Mazza, M. Mazza Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 100 (2017) 144158

Fig. 7. Base-isolated r.c. test structure (units in m).

Masonry inll walls of 2.7 kN/m2 are considered as nonstructural ele- Table 2
ments regularly distributed along the perimeter and in elevation. Cross-sections of r.c. beams (units in cm).
The design of the superstructure is carried out in compliance with
Floor
the life-safety limit state. Detailing for local ductility is also imposed to
satisfy minimum conditions for the longitudinal bars of the r.c. frame Beam 1 2 3 4 5 6
members: for the beams, a tension reinforcement ratio nowhere less
than 0.37% is provided and a compression reinforcement not less than 1x 30 60 30 60 30 60 30 60 30 60 30 60
2x 50 21 50 21 50 21 50 21 50 21 50 21
half of the tension reinforcement is placed at all sections; for a section 3x 30 55 30 55 30 55 30 55 30 55 30 55
of each column a minimum steel geometric ratio of 1% is assumed. A 4x 40 65 40 65 40 65 40 65
cylindrical compressive strength of 25 N/mm2 for the concrete and a 1y 30 60 30 60 30 60 30 60 30 60 30 60
yield strength of 450 N/mm2 for the steel are assumed for the r.c. frame 2y 40 65 40 65 40 65 40 65 40 65 40 65
3y 50 21 50 21 50 21 50 21 50 21 50 21
members. Cross sections of columns and beams along the in-plan X and
Y directions are reported in Tables 1, 2, respectively.
The CSS system is designed for the horizontal seismic loads corre- axial loads at the level of the CSS system. Starting from a single-degree-
sponding to the collapse prevention (CP) limit state, requiring the ful- of freedom (SDOF) system with an eective fundamental vibration
lment of the provisions imposed by NTC08: i.e. maximum compres- period
sion axial load of the CSS bearing less than its capacity; maximum
horizontal displacements less than the spectral value; absence of tensile 1
fast
Te, I = 2 1
g R + uH , d
(11)
Table 1
Cross-sections of r.c. columns (units in cm). equal to 3 s and an eective equivalent viscous damping
Storey 2 1
e, I = u
Column 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 + H,d
R
fast (12)
1 40 60 35 55 30 50 30 45 30 40 30 35
2 60 40 50 35 50 30 40 30 30 30 30 30 equal to 15%, the values of the radius of curvature (R = 2.93 m) and
3 60 40 50 35 50 30 40 30 30 30 30 30 dynamic-fast friction coecient (fast = 4.2%) of the CSS system are
4 40 60 35 55 30 50 30 45 30 40 30 35 evaluated in relation to the spectral displacement uH,d = 0.394 m at the
5 40 60 35 50 35 40 30 40 30 30 30 30 collapse prevention limit state. In the case of low friction, the maximum
6 70 70 65 65 60 60 50 50 40 40 30 30
7 70 70 65 65 60 60 50 50 40 40 30 30
axial load capacity of the CSS bearings (NEd) is evaluated by Eq. (8a,b),
8 60 60 55 55 50 50 45 40 40 30 35 30 as function of the assigned value of the quasi-permanent gravity loads
9 40 60 35 50 30 50 30 40 30 30 30 30 (NSd) transmitted from the superstructure. Then, in the case of medium
10 70 70 65 65 60 60 50 50 40 40 30 30 friction, the friction coecient corresponding to the same ratio NSd/NEd
11 55 70 50 65 45 60 40 50 35 40 30 30
is obtained by Eq. (9a,b). Moreover, two in-plan distributions of NEd are
12 40 60 35 55 30 50 30 45 30 40 30 35
13 40 50 35 50 30 40 30 35 30 30 30 30 assumed for the base-isolated structures: cases BIA.LF and BIA.MF in
14 65 65 60 60 50 50 45 45 35 40 30 35 Fig. 8a, with fteen types of CSS bearings (i.e. having the same fast
15 40 50 35 45 30 40 30 35 30 30 30 30 value for all isolators); cases BIB.LF and BIB.MF in Fig. 8b, with only
16 30 40 30 35 30 30 30 30 three types of CSS bearings (i.e. exhibiting dierent fast value for each
17 50 50 45 45 35 40 30 35
18 30 40 30 35 30 30 30 30
isolator), which are selected with reference to the maximum value of
19 30 30 30 30 30 30 NEd from those of the isolators corresponding to three ranges of =
20 30 40 30 35 30 30 NSd/NSd,max (i.e. 0.4; 0.4 < 0.7; > 0.7).
21 30 30 30 30 30 30 Finally, to take into account the dependence of the dynamic-fast
22 30 30 30 30
friction coecient on instantaneous temperature (fast,Tf), as a result of
23 35 30 30 30
24 30 30 30 30 the heating at the sliding surface when the slider is in motion, the
following expression is used [22]

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F. Mazza, M. Mazza Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 100 (2017) 144158

Fig. 8. In-plan distribution of axial load capacity for

the base-isolation systems.

fast , Tf
kTf = = 0.79 (0.70.02Tf + 0.4)
fast (13)
taking into account the fact that the temperature at the sliding surface
greatly depends on the histories of sliding velocity, axial pressure,
coecient of friction and path traveled by the slider. It is worth noting
that the reduction in the friction coecient is sudden for increasing
temperature from Tf= 40 C to Tf = 20 C and tends to a constant
value for temperatures greater than Tf = 250 C, where a reduction
factor equal to 0.45 is obtained. Thereafter, four additional cases are
designed for low- (i.e. BIA.LFT and BIB.LFT) and medium-type friction
properties (i.e. BIA.MFT and BIB.MFT) by applying the reduction factor
kT of the friction coecient to the Eqs. (8a,b) and (9a,b), respectively.
Global design parameters of the CSS systems and local design para-
meters of the CSS bearings are reported in Tables 3, 4, respectively.
4. Intensity measures for near-fault ground motions and method
of nonlinear dynamic analysis
structures, Sv,H values for the selected motions are considerably dif-
ferent from those of the corresponding NTC08 design spectrum.
Thus, the choice of a suitable seismic intensity measure (IM), to
account for the potential structural damage caused by near-fault
earthquakes, is necessary for scaling real motions accurately. Previous
studies have highlighted the fact that IMs calculated from ground mo-
tion history (e.g. peak ground acceleration and displacement) or cor-
responding to the fundamental vibration period of the structure (e.g.
acceleration or displacement elastic spectral value) may not be reliable
predictors of structural response [35,36]. On the other hand, a good
compromise between simplicity and accuracy to predict the nonlinear
response of both the superstructure and the isolation system is the
Modied Velocity Spectrum Intensity (MVSI). This is dened as integra-
tion of the velocity (elastic) response spectrum over a dened range of
vibration periods, to take into account the lengthening of vibration
period (T), as the structure goes into the inelastic range, and consider
the inuence of the higher vibration modes
1.25T

Horizontal components of seven near-fault earthquakes character-

MVSI = 0.5T Sv (T , )dT (14)
ized by long-duration velocity pulses due to forward-directivity and
ing-step eects are selected from the Pacic Earthquake Engineering Then, the scale factor (SF), whereby the horizontal components of
Research center database [25], on the basis of the design hypotheses the selected real accelerograms are normalized with respect to the
adopted for the test structures (i.e. soil site and high risk seismic re- NTC08 ones, is calculated as
gion). In particular, forward directivity produces two-sided velocity 1.25T
pulses without permanent ground displacement, while ing-step is the SFMVSI = 0.5T Sv, NTC 08 (T , )dT
result of permanent ground displacement that generates one-sided ve-
1.25T 1.25T
locity pulses [3234]. In Table 5 the main data of the selected near-fault
0.5 0.5T Sv1, NF (T , )dT + 0.5T Sv2, NF (T , )dT
ground motions are shown: i.e. year; recording station; distance from
the fault (); magnitude (Mw); pulse period (TP); type; peak ground (15)
acceleration for the two horizontal components (i.e. PGAH1 and PGAH2).
The elastic response spectra of velocity (Sv,H) for the two horizontal where is the damping modication factor, dened as the ratio be-
components of each ground motion are plotted in Fig. 9, assuming an tween the displacement demand of a SDOF system with viscous
equivalent viscous damping ratio in the horizontal direction (H) of damping greater than 5% and that of the corresponding 5% damped
15%. These response spectra are compared with the corresponding SDOF, calculated in line with NTC08. However, large amplitude (hor-
NTC08 response spectra for a high-risk seismic region and subsoil class izontal) velocity pulses of near-fault ground motions are expected to
D (i.e. soil site), considering the collapse prevention limit state. Note decrease the eectiveness of damping in reducing the structural re-
that in general, within the range of quite long horizontal vibration sponse. Therefore, a polynomial expression as function of the natural
periods (i.e. TI 2.4 s), corresponding to the base-isolated test logarithm of and TP is considered in the present study [37]

Table 3
Global design parameters of the CSS systems (units in s, m and C).

BIA.LF BIB.LF BIA.MF BIB.MF BIA.LFT BIB.LFT BIA.MFT BIB.MFT

TeI 2.96 2.89 2.45 2.41 3.08 3.04 3.07 3.02

eI (%) 16 18 31 32 12 13 13 14
uH,d 0.376 0.352 0.252 0.246 0.429 0.416 0.423 0.404
Tf 20 20 20 20 250 250 250 250
CSS types 15 3 15 3 15 3 15 3

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F. Mazza, M. Mazza Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 100 (2017) 144158

Table 4
Local design parameters of the CSS bearings (units in kN).

fast (%) / NEd

CSSi Nsd BIA.LF BIB.LF BIA.MF BIB.MF BIA.LFT BIB.LFT BIA.MFT BIB.MFT

1 753 4.4 / 1490 4.4 / 1476 8.1 / 1490 8.0 / 1476 3.4 / 2870 3.1 / 2552 3.6 / 1504 3.6 / 1490
2 1065 4.4 / 2076 4.7 / 2245 8.1 / 2076 8.5 / 2245 3.4 / 3998 4.9 / 6062 3.6 / 2095 4.0 / 2425
3 1065 4.4 / 2113 4.7 / 2245 8.1 / 2113 8.4 / 2245 3.4 / 4069 4.8 / 6062 3.6 / 2132 3.9 / 2425
4 974 4.4 / 1930 5.0 / 2245 8.1 / 1930 8.8 / 2245 3.4 / 3718 5.2 / 6062 3.6 / 1948 4.1 / 2425
5 1147 4.4 / 2273 4.4 / 2245 8.1 / 2273 8.0 / 2245 3.4 / 4378 4.5 / 6062 3.6 / 2294 3.8 / 2425
6 1938 4.4 / 3782 4.2 / 3559 8.1 / 3782 7.8 / 3559 3.4 / 7284 2.3 / 4627 3.6 / 3817 3.7 / 3844
7 1938 4.4 / 3844 4.2 / 3559 8.1 / 3844 7.7 / 3559 3.4 / 7403 2.3 / 4627 3.6 / 3880 3.6 / 3844
8 1542 4.4 / 3054 5.0 / 3559 8.1 / 3054 8.8 / 3559 3.4 / 5882 2.8 / 4627 3.6 / 3083 4.1 / 3844
9 1098 4.4 / 2177 4.5 / 2245 8.1 / 2177 8.2 / 2245 3.4 / 4193 4.7 / 6062 3.6 / 2197 3.9 / 2425
10 1764 4.4 / 3494 4.5 / 3559 8.1 / 3494 8.2 / 3559 3.4 / 6729 2.5 / 4627 3.6 / 3526 3.8 / 3844
11 1712 4.4 / 3397 4.6 / 3559 8.1 / 3397 8.3 / 3559 3.4 / 6543 2.6 / 4627 3.6 / 3429 3.9 / 3844
12 974 4.4 / 1924 5.0 / 2245 8.1 / 1924 8.8 / 2245 3.4 / 3705 5.2 / 6062 3.6 / 1942 4.1 / 2425
13 920 4.4 / 1825 5.3 / 2245 8.1 / 1825 9.1 / 2245 3.4 / 3515 5.4 / 6062 3.6 / 1842 4.3 / 2425
14 1764 4.4 / 3475 4.5 / 3559 8.1 / 3475 8.2 / 3559 3.4 / 6693 2.5 / 4627 3.6 / 3507 3.8 / 3844
15 920 4.4 / 1821 5.3 / 2245 8.1 / 1821 9.1 / 2245 3.4 / 3508 5.4 / 6062 3.6 / 1838 4.3 / 2425
16 630 4.4 / 1250 5.1 / 1476 8.1 / 1250 8.9 / 1476 3.4 / 2408 3.6 / 2552 3.6 / 1262 4.0 / 1490
17 1224 4.4 / 2425 4.2 / 2245 8.1 / 2425 7.7 / 2245 3.4 / 4670 4.3 / 6062 3.6 / 2447 3.6 / 2425
18 630 4.4 / 1249 5.1 / 1476 8.1 / 1249 8.9 / 1476 3.4 / 2405 3.6 / 2552 3.6 / 1260 4.0 / 2425
19 385 4.4 / 764 7.7 / 1476 8.1 / 764 11.7/ 1476 3.4 / 1472 5.4 / 2552 3.6 / 771 5.3 / 1490
20 753 4.4 / 1487 4.4 / 1476 8.1 / 1487 8.1 / 1476 3.4 / 2864 3.1 / 2552 3.6 / 1501 3.6 / 1490
21 385 4.4 / 735 7.9 / 1476 8.1 / 735 12.0/ 1476 3.4 / 1416 5.6 / 2552 3.6 / 742 5.4 / 1490
22 266 4.4 / 525 10.5 / 1476 8.1 / 525 14.5/ 1476 3.4 / 1011 7.4 / 2552 3.6 / 530 6.5 / 1490
23 565 4.4 / 1120 5.6 / 1476 8.1 / 1120 9.4 / 1476 3.4 / 2156 3.9 / 2552 3.6 / 1130 4.3 / 1490
24 266 4.4 / 527 10.4 / 1476 8.1 / 527 14.4/ 1476 3.4 / 1015 7.4 / 2552 3.6 / 532 6.5 / 1490

= 1 (5 )[1 + a ln( ) + b (ln( ))2 ][c + d ln(TP ) + e (ln(TP ))2 ]
(16)
where the a, b, c, d and e are regression coecients whose value de-
pends on the considered pulse period interval. Scale factors of the se-
lected near-fault earthquakes are reported in Table 6.
The nonlinear seismic analysis of the r.c. base-isolated framed
structures, subjected to the horizontal components of ground motion
acceleration (i.e. g,H1 and g,H2), is carried out by a step-by-step pro-
cedure. In order to comply with the dynamic equilibrium, an implicit
two-parameter integration scheme and an initial stress-like iterative
procedure are adopted [38]. More specically, the following dynamic
equilibrium equation has to be satised
Mu (t ) + Cu (t ) + {[KS uS (t )]T , [fI [uI (t ), uI (t )]]T }
= pV M [iH1 ug,H1 (t ) + iH ,2 ug,H2 (t )]
(17)
which represents a nonlinear implicit system containing the unknown
velocity vector u , being: M the mass matrix; KS the (elastic) stiness
matrix of the superstructure; the acceleration vector; uT = {uST, uIT}
the displacement vector, containing the superstructure (uS) and isola-
tion system (uI) components; pV the vector of the gravity loads; iH1 and
iH2 the vectors of the inuence coecients along the horizontal di-
rections. The nonlinear structural reaction vector of the base-isolation
system
fI [uI (t ), uI (t )] = {(FH , x )T , (FH , y )T , (FV )T }T
(18)
is dened in accordance with the nonlinear force-displacements models
described in Section 2 (i.e. CALCFC, CALVFC1, VALVFC1, VALVFC2
and VALVFC3) for the horizontal (i.e. FH,x and FHy) and vertical (i.e. FV)
directions. On the other hand, the inelastic behaviour of the r.c. frame
members of the superstructure is idealized by means of a lumped
plasticity model constituted of two parallel elements, one elastic-per-
fectly plastic (1) and the other linearly elastic (2), assuming a bilinear
moment curvature law (Mr-r) in the radial direction depending on the
axial force (N). In the proposed model, the axial load-biaxial bending
moment elastic domain is discretized by 26 at surfaces [36], in-
cluding: 6 surfaces normal to the principal axes; 12 surfaces normal to
the bisections of the principal planes; 8 surfaces normal to the bisec-
tions of the octants. At each step, the elastic-plastic solution is derived
from the Haar-Krmn principle [38]. In particular, the elastic-plastic
solution is obtained as a projection of the elastic solution on the active
at surface or along the active line or at the active corner resulting from
the intersection of surfaces [39].
5. Numerical results
To study the eects of dierent modelling and design assumptions
of CSS bearings on the seismic response of irregular r.c. base-isolated
structures subjected to strong near-fault ground motions, a computer
code for carrying out nonlinear dynamic analysis is prepared. For this
purpose, ve models of CSS bearings described in Section 2, that con-
sider constant and variable axial load combined with constant and
variable friction coecient, are compared for the CSS base-isolation
system. A lumped plasticity model comprising two parallel elements,

Table 5
Main data of the selected near-fault ground motions.

Earthquake Recording station Mw [km] Tp [s] Pulse type PGAH1 PGAH2

Chi-Chi, 1999 TCU068 7.6 0.3 12.29 Fling step 0.566g 0.462g
Imperial Valley, 1979 El Centro D.A. 6.5 5.1 6.27 Forward directivity 0.353g 0.481g
Kobe,1995 Takatori 6.9 1.5 1.55 Forward directivity 0.618g 0.671g
Loma Prieta, 1989 Gilroy #3 6.9 12.8 2.64 Forward directivity 0.559g 0.368g
Northridge, 1994 Rinaldi R.S. 6.7 6.5 1.25 Forward directivity 0.874g 0.472g
Parkeld, 2004 Fault Zone 1 6.0 2.5 1.19 Forward directivity 0.605g 0.833g
Superstition H., 1987 Parachute T.S. 6.5 1.0 2.39 Forward directivity 0.432g 0.384g

150
F. Mazza, M. Mazza Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 100 (2017) 144158

Fig. 9. Velocity (elastic) response spectra for the

horizontal components of the selected earthquakes.

Table 6
Scale factors of the selected near-fault ground motions.

Case TCU068 El Centro D.A. Takatori Gilroy #3 Rinaldi R.S. Fault Zone 1 Parachute T.S.

BIA.LF 0.58 1.00 0.49 1.70 0.59 1.05 0.71

BIB.LF 0.58 0.99 0.48 1.67 0.59 1.03 0.70
BIA.MF 0.63 0.97 0.46 1.45 0.55 0.90 0.69
BIB.MF 0.64 0.97 0.45 1.43 0.54 0.89 0.70
BIA.LFT 0.57 1.04 0.50 1.77 0.61 1.09 0.72
BIB.LFT 0.58 1.03 0.49 1.75 0.61 1.08 0.72
BIA.MFT 0.57 1.03 0.49 1.76 0.61 1.08 0.72
BIB.MFT 0.57 1.02 0.49 1.74 0.60 1.07 0.72

Fig. 10. Eects of modelling assumptions of the CSS

system on the bearing displacement.

151
F. Mazza, M. Mazza Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 100 (2017) 144158

Fig. 11. Eects of modelling assumptions of the CSS

system on the residual bearing displacement.

Fig. 12. Eects of modelling assumptions of the CSS

system on the in-plan drift ratio.

152
F. Mazza, M. Mazza
Fig. 13. Eects of design assumptions of the CSS system on the response parameters.
one linearly elastic and the other elastic-perfectly plastic, is used to
describe the inelastic behaviour of r.c. frame members of the super-
structure on the basis of the Haar-Krmn principle [38]. A piecewise
linearization of the axial load-biaxial bending moment ultimate domain
is considered for r.c. cross-sections [39]. In the present work, viscous
damping in the isolation system is avoided by using the hysteretic
models of the CSS bearings described in Section 2 to account for the
energy dissipation [40]. Moreover, the damping matrix of the super-
structure is calculated on the basis of the Rayleigh damping, assuming
constant values of the damping coecients evaluated from the modal
analysis of the base-isolated structure. More specically, a viscous
damping ratio equal to 1% is considered with reference to the two vi-
bration periods corresponding to high-participation modes with com-
ponents prevailing in the horizontal directions. In accordance with the
minimum number of real ground motions imposed by EC8 [17], seven
near-fault earthquakes are scaled in accordance to the Modied Velo-
city Spectrum Intensity described in Section 4, considering the collapse
prevention seismic intensity level provided by NTC08.
First, three demand parameters are evaluated at the level of the CSS
153
Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 100 (2017) 144158
system: i) maximum bearing displacement (uBI,max), related to the plan
dimensions of the bearing and seismic gap around the building; residual
bearing displacement (uBI,res), related to the re-centring capability of the
CSS bearings; iii) in-plan drift ratio (tg)BI,max evaluated as the in-plan
relative displacement of the CSS system divided by the length of the
building plan, which is an indicator of the displacement due to torsion.
In particular, ve nonlinear models of the CSS bearings are compared at
an ambient temperature T = 20 C (i.e. CALCFC, CALVFC1, VALVFC1,
VALVFC2 and VALVFC3). Moreover, two in-plan distributions of dy-
namic-fast friction coecient for the CSS system (i.e. BIA and BIB
structures) are examined in Figs. 1012, considering low- (i.e. BIA.LF
and BIB.LF) and medium-type (i.e. BIA.MF and BIB.MF) friction prop-
erties of the CSS bearings. As shown in Fig. 10, similar values of max-
imum bearing displacement are obtained in all the examined cases
where constant (i.e. CAL) and variable (i.e. VAL) axial load in the
modelling of CSS bearings are combined with friction coecient con-
stant (i.e. CFC) and variable depending on sliding velocity (i.e. VFC1)
and axial pressure (i.e. VFC2). However, a slight decrease of uBI,max is
obtained with the VALVFC3 model, which considers the stick-slip eect
F. Mazza, M. Mazza
Fig. 14. Eects of the modelling and design assumptions of the CSS system on the
maximum interstorey drift ratio.
of the CSS bearings, only for medium-type friction properties in both
BIA.MF (Fig. 10b) and BIB.MF (Fig. 10d) base-isolated structures.
Further results, omitted for the sake of brevity, conrm the trend for the
maximum bearing displacement similar to that obtained for low-type
friction (Fig. 10a,c) when the CSS system is designed to consider the
heating at the sliding surface during the seismic motion. Specically,
the reduction in the friction coecient equal to 0.45, when the tem-
perature T = 250 C is assumed (see Eq. (13)), produces very low and
low friction properties in case of low- (i.e. BIA.LFT and BIB.LFT) and
medium-type (i.e. BIA.MFT and BIB.MFT) friction properties, respec-
tively.
On the other hand, notable underestimation of residual displace-
ment in the CSS bearings is obtained with the CALCFC and CALVFC1
models of the base-isolation system, especially when low-type friction
properties are considered in the BIA.LF (Fig. 11a) and BIB.LF (Fig. 11c)
structures.
Specically, variable friction coecient with velocity (i.e. CALVFC1
model) corresponds to a decrease of residual displacement in the CSS
system, in comparison with results assuming constant values of axial
load and friction coecient (i.e. CALCFC model). This kind of beha-
viour can be interpreted by observing that friction coecient increases
for increasing values of the sliding velocity. Moreover, a signicant
increase of the residual displacement is reached when variable axial
load (i.e. VALCFC1 model) is taken into account, while negligible ef-
fects of friction coecient variability with the axial pressure (i.e.
VALCFC2 model) are highlighted. Finally, the inclusion of the stick-slip
phases in the modelling assumptions of the CSS bearings (i.e. VALVFC3
154
Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 100 (2017) 144158
Fig. 15. Eects of the modelling and design assumptions of the CSS system on the re-
sidual interstorey drift ratio.
model) can be signicant, as they always induce an increase of the
residual displacement. The sensitivity of residual displacement to the
nonlinear modelling of CSS bearings is also conrmed when con-
sidering the heating at the sliding surface (i.e. T = 250 C), whose re-
sults are not reported for brevity.
Subsequently, maximum values of oor rotation at the level of the
CSS system (Fig. 12) highlight minor torsional eect induced by sliding
velocity (i.e. CALVFC1 model) and axial pressure (i.e. VALVFC2
model), in comparison with the corresponding CSS models related to
constant values (i.e. CALCFC and VALVFC1 models). Moreover, a
considerable reduction of (tg)BI,max is found for medium-type friction
properties (Fig. 12b,d) when the nonlinear modelling of the CSS bear-
ings also takes into account the sticking and sliding phases (i.e.
VALVFC3 model). The sensitivity of the oor rotation to the nonlinear
modelling of CSS bearings is also conrmed when T = 250 C is as-
sumed, obtaining results similar to those for low-type friction properties
at ambient temperature T = 20 C.
Next, in Fig. 13 the sensitivity of the nonlinear seismic response
parameters at the level of the CSS system is evaluated for dierent
design and modelling assumptions of base-isolated r.c. framed build-
ings. To this aim, eight structural solutions are compared by con-
sidering two in-plan distributions of the dynamic-fast friction coe-
cient, which correspond to the same value for all isolators (i.e. the BIA
structure) and a dierent value for each isolator (i.e. the BIB structure),
and two types of friction properties (i.e. low, L, and medium, M) both
evaluated in accordance with an ambient temperature T = 20 C and an
increased temperature during ground motions up to T = 250 C.
F. Mazza, M. Mazza
Fig. 16. Eects of the modelling and design assumptions of the CSS system on the
maximum in-plan drift ratio.
Moreover, the most simplied (i.e. CALCFC in Fig. 13a,d,g) and com-
monly used (i.e. VALVFC1 in Fig. 13b,e,h) models of the CSS bearings
are compared with the most rened (i.e. VALVFC3 in Fig. 13c,f,i) of
those described in Section 2. As expected, the maximum horizontal
displacement of the CSS system decreases with the change from low to
medium friction (Fig. 13a,b,c), but this dierence becomes negligible
when the heating of the CSS bearings is considered. The high tem-
perature of the CSS bearings produces an increase of displacement
which roughly is inversely proportional to the reduction factor of the
friction coecient (i.e. kTf = 0.45) when medium-type friction is
considered (Fig. 13a,b,c). A slight increase of the horizontal displace-
ment of the CSS system is obtained with the VALVFC1 model (Fig. 13b)
instead of the CALCFC one (Fig. 13a), for both in-plan distributions of
the friction coecient, while a reduction occurs when the VALVFC3
model (Fig. 13c) is used. On the other hand, the residual displacement
of the CSS system is aected by the modelling of the CSS system, with a
155
Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 100 (2017) 144158
marked underestimation of its value when the CALCFC model is
adopted (Fig. 13d). Moreover, the in-plan distribution of the friction
coecient does not produce signicant changes of the residual dis-
placement (Fig. 13d,e,f), instead it highlights sensitivity to friction
properties of the CSS bearings and reference temperature. As can be
observed in Fig. 13e,f, the highest values are those corresponding to
low friction and T = 250 C (i.e. BIA.LFT and BIB.LFT structures) while
the lowest ones are recorded for medium friction and T = 20 C (i.e.
BIA.MF and BIB.MF structures). Note, however, that medium-type
friction of the CSS bearings corresponds to less re-centring capabilities
than the low-type, when expressed as a percentage of the corresponding
maximum horizontal displacements.
Finally, maximum oor rotation at the level of the CSS system
proves to be sensitive to the design assumptions related to frictional
heating of the CSS bearings. Specically, the torsional eects are am-
plied in the case of T = 250 C and VALVFC1 and VALVFC3 models,
for both low (i.e. BIA.LFT and BIB.LFT structures) and medium (i.e.
BIA.MFT and BIB.MFT structures) friction-type (Fig. 13h,i); moreover,
the selection of medium-type friction properties produces a signicant
reduction of torsional eects only if the warming of the CSS bearings is
ignored (i.e. assuming T = 20 C). Negligible dierences among dif-
ferent design solutions of the CSS system are observed for the CALCFC
model (Fig. 13g).
Next, in Figs. 1416 attention is focused on the sensitivity of the
nonlinear seismic response of the superstructure to modelling and de-
sign assumptions of the CSS system. To this end, eight structural solu-
tions of the CSS system are compared through the CALCFC, VALVFC1
and VALVFC3 models of the CSS bearings, while a lumped plasticity
model is considered for the r.c. frame members.
Here, three local demand parameters are evaluated along the
building height: i) maximum interstorey drift ratio (/h)max, dened as
drift normalized by storey height, representing storey damage of the
superstructure (Fig. 14); ii) residual interstorey drift ratio (/h)res, re-
presenting the irrecoverable part of the interstorey drift related to da-
mage requiring repair after an earthquake (Fig. 15); iii) in-plan drift
ratio (tg)max, which is evaluated in a similar way to the corresponding
parameter at the level of the isolation system (Fig. 16). As expected,
severe damage with highly irregular vertical distribution of the inter-
storey drift ratio is found in the case of medium friction of the CSS
bearings combined with T = 20 C (i.e. BIA.MF and BIB.MF structures),
especially when the VALVFC3 model is considered (Fig. 14c). This be-
haviour can be explained by observing that for rather high values of
friction the response in the horizontal direction is like that of a xed-
base structure until the friction threshold of the CSS system is not ex-
ceeded.
Moreover, the other six structural solutions show light to moderate
repairable damage at the storey levels and comparable results are ob-
tained for the CALCFC (Fig. 14a), VALVFC1 (Fig. 14b) and VALVFC3
(Fig. 14c) models. It should be noted that the BIA.MFT and BIB.MFT
structures are characterized by values of the dynamic fast friction
coecient of the CSS system comparable with those obtained for the
BIA.LF and BIB.LF structures, due to their increased design temperature
T = 250 C.
In Fig. 15 curves representing the maximum residual drift ratio are
similar for all examined cases and negligible eects can be ascribed to
the modelling assumptions of the CSS bearings. In fact, the re-centring
properties of the BIA.LF and BIB.LF structures prove to be the most
eective while the opposite is generally the case for the BIA.MF and
BIB.MF structures whose values are only slightly higher than the others.
This behaviour is related to the maximum interstorey drift ratios shown
in Fig. 14, which correspond to low-to-moderate damage, especially at
the fth oor level.
On the contrary, the in-plan drift ratio of the superstructure is
highly sensitivite to both modelling and design assumptions. Note the
highest values of oor rotation at the top level, with amplication of
torsional eects when the VALVFC1 (Fig. 16c) and VALVFC3 (Fig. 16d)
F. Mazza, M. Mazza
Fig. 17. Eects of design assumptions of the CSS system on the maximum roof drift ratio.
Fig. 18. Eects of design assumptions of the CSS system on the residual roof drift ratio.
models instead of the CALCFC (Fig. 16a) and CALVFC1 (Fig. 16b) ones
are adopted for the CSS bearings. This result highlights the inuence of
the axial load variation on the maximum in-plan drift ratio. In addition,
the BI.B structures, characterized by a dierent value of the dynamic-
fast (design) friction coecient for each CSS bearing, work better than
the BI.A ones at reducing torsional eects in the case of VALVFC1
(Fig. 16c) and VALVFC3 (Fig. 16d) models which correspond to max-
imum values of oor rotation for the increased temperature T = 250 C.
Next, the following global response parameters are considered for
the superstructure and plotted in Figs. 17 and 18, respectively: i.e.
maximum ((uroof-uBI)/Htot)max and residual ((uroof-uBI)/Htot)res roof drift
ratios, dened as the ratios of the peak and residual horizontal roof
displacements to the building height, which are well correlated to the
overall structural damage of the superstructure. The results similar to
the previous ones show that the maximum roof drift ratio is practically
unaected by CSS nonlinear modelling (Fig. 17a,b,c), unlike the re-
sidual roof drift ratio which is generally overestimated in the CALCFC
model (Fig. 18a), while similar values are obtained for the VALVFC1
(Fig. 18b) and VALVFC3 (Fig. 18c) models. Moreover, it is worth noting
that the BIA.MF and BIB.MF structures, which are base-isolated with
CSS bearings characterized by medium-type friction properties, perform
worse than the other structures with dierent design parameters. Fi-
nally, the in-plan distribution of the friction coecient of the CSS
system (i.e. BIA and BIB structures) does not produce signicant eects
on the global response parameters of the superstructure.
As an example, curves representing time histories of axial load (i.e.
FV), shear forces (i.e. FH,x and FH,y) and horizontal displacements (uI,x
and uI,y), for the CSS1 isolator (see Fig. 7a) of the BIA.LF structure
subjected to the Chi-Chi ground motion, are plotted in Fig. 19.
Specically, CALCFC, CALVFC1, VALVFC1, VALVFC2 and VALVFC3
156
Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 100 (2017) 144158
models of the CSS bearing are compared at an ambient temperature T
= 20 C. As can be observed, a signicant variation of the axial load is
resulted for the VALVFC1, VALVFC2 and VALVFC3 models in com-
parison with the gravity load adopted in the CALCFC and CALVFC1
models (Fig. 19a). Friction coecient variability with sliding velocity
(i.e. VALVFC1), pressure (i.e. VALVFC2) and stick-slip eect (i.e.
VALVFC3) induces dierent shear forces in the isolator (Fig. 19b,c),
while negligible dierences are highlighted in the horizontal displace-
ments (Fig. 19d,e). Moreover, quite dierent results are resulted in the
case of constant axial load combined with constant (i.e. CALCFC) or
variable (i.e. CALVFC1) sliding velocity.
6. Conclusions
Sensitivity of the response of irregular base-isolated r.c. framed
structures to nonlinear modelling and seismic design of CSS bearings is
studied with regard to the horizontal components of near-fault earth-
quakes. In particular, the nonlinear dynamic analysis considers the in-
elastic behaviour of the superstructure and compares ve nonlinear
force-displacement laws for the CSS bearings, as function of axial load
and sliding friction. The eects of the friction coecient dependence on
sliding velocity, axial pressure and stick-slip phases are also in-
vestigated. Moreover, eight design solutions for the CSS system are
compared to evaluate the inuence of: i) low- and medium-type friction
properties; ii) two in-plan distributions of the dynamic-fast friction
coecient; iii) frictional heating at the sliding surface. The following
conclusions can be drawn from the results.
As regards the nonlinear modelling of the CSS bearings, residual
displacement and oor rotation at the level of the CSS system are found
to depend on the selected model, while similar values of maximum
F. Mazza, M. Mazza
Fig. 19. Eects of the modelling of the CSS system on the time histories of response
parameters.
bearing displacement are obtained for all ve models of CSS bearings. A
signicant increase in the residual displacement is reached when
variable axial load (VALVFC1) and stick-slip phases (VALVFC3) are
taken into account, while a considerable reduction of torsional eects
occurs for medium-type friction properties when adopting the
VALVFC3 model. On the other hand, maximum and residual drift ratios
of the superstructure highlight negligible eects related to modelling
assumptions of the CSS bearings. Moreover, the in-plan drift ratio of the
superstructure shows considerable sensitivity to the modelling as-
sumptions, with amplication of torsional eects when the VALVFC3
model is adopted for the CSS bearings. Maximum roof drift ratio of the
superstructure is practically insensitive to the CSS nonlinear modelling,
contrary to the residual roof drift ratio which is generally overestimated
in the CALCFC model.
As regards the seismic design of the CSS system, the in-plan dis-
tribution of the friction coecient does not produce signicant changes
in the demand parameters evaluated at the level of the base-isolation
system. Yet, maximum horizontal displacement of the CSS system de-
creases with the change from low to medium friction properties, while
the high temperature of the CSS bearings increases displacement.
However, note that medium-type friction of the CSS bearings corre-
sponds to less re-centring capabilities than the low-type. Finally, max-
imum oor rotation at the level of the CSS system proves to be sensitive
157
Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 100 (2017) 144158
to frictional heating of the CSS bearings. On the other hand, severe
damage of the superstructure with highly irregular vertical distribution
of the interstorey drift ratio is found in the case of medium friction of
the CSS bearings combined with T = 20 C, while the other six struc-
tural solutions show light to moderate repairable damage at the storey
levels. Negligible inuence on the maximum residual drift ratio can be
ascribed to design assumptions of the CSS bearings. On the contrary, the
in-plan drift ratio of the superstructure shows sensitivity to the in-plan
distribution of the friction coecient. Finally, the in-plan distribution
of the friction coecient of the CSS system does not produce signicant
eects on the global response parameters of the superstructure.
Acknowledgements
The present work was nanced by Re.L.U.I.S. (Italian network of
university laboratories of earthquake engineering), in accordance with
Convenzione D.P.C.Re.L.U.I.S. 20142016, WPI, Isolation and
Dissipation Research line PR6.
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