SEISMIC BEHAVIOR OF EXPANSION JOINTS FOR FLOOR OF SEISMICALLY ISOLATED STRUCTURES

Abstract

Expansion joints in seismically isolated buildings are intended to remain undamaged following earthquakes. However, numer-ous reports from past earthquakes indicates significant damage to these joints or adjacent structures resulting from collisions. This study quantifies the impact force generated when the main panel of a rising-type expansion joint collides with the slope of the joint through collision tests. The results demonstrate that the impact force increases proportionally with the velocity and effective mass of the main panel, and it intensifies further with an increase in the slope angle.