EARTHQUAKE SIMULATOR TEST OF A BASE-ISOLATED REINFORCED CONCRETE BUILDING

Abstract

This paper describes earthquake simulator tests of a 1/2.5-scale model of an existing base-isolated, three-story reinforced-concrete building. Two types of high-damping rubber bearings and one type of lead-rubber bearing were used in these tests. Moderate and extreme input motions were applied to the model to study the ultimate behavior of the isolated structure. Dynamic analyses were conducted to simulate the response to both moderate and extreme input tests, using a previously-developed analytical model. Good agreement between the experimental and analytical results was obtained, and the analytical model was confirmed to be suitable for representing the mechanical properties of bearings.