Performance Evaluation of Base-Isolated Structures

Abstract

Seismic isolation systems have been recognized for their effectiveness in protecting building and their contents. Despite costly technology, seismic isolation has been used in several countries, including Japan. Base-isolated building response could be substantially reduced, which is very favorable compared to conventional fixed-base buildings. Several studies have focused on base-isolated building response and the effects of isolation properties, for example, but none has talked about performance in ways that nonengineers such as building owners could understand. The slight damage from an earthquake may protect a building’s structural integrity, but it may also damage nonstructural components and disrupt ongoing building functionality CF. The PEER methodology framework used to consider CF damage to nonstructural components uses a nonstructural component fragility curve, taking into account building location, and produces results in the form of a return period, in years, indicating how long the building may be expected to exceed that specified damage state. Several building structures are investigated and discussed.