OVERTURNING LIMIT OF A RIGID BLOCK CONSIDERING CUMULATIVE ENERGY LOSS DUE TO REPEATED SEISMIC POUNDINGS AND GROUND CONTACTS

Analytical closed-form formulation using impulse input

Abstract

This study focuses on the overturning behavior of rigid blocks placed near walls during seismic excitation, representing furniture inside buildings. A closed-form expression for the critical overturning condition is derived based on energy balance approach under variable-amplitude impulse inputs. The model accounts for cumulative energy loss from repeated wall impacts and ground contacts, allowing evaluation of critical input characteristics across a wide frequency range. A shaking table test using set of pulse-type input with asymmetric amplitudes is conducted to validate the proposed criteria. This approach enables comprehensive assessment of overturning limits considering block geometry and environmental factors.