FUNDAMENTAL STUDY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SEISMIC ISOLATING FOUNDATION IMITATED INTERLOCKING STRUCTURE OF ITACOLUMITE

Abstract

 In this study, the microstructure that gives itacolumite its flexibility and shock absorption properties is proposed as a loosely connected block assembly in three dimensions with gaps in between. The block assembly was manufactured by taking advantage of the additive manufacturing of 3D printing, in which each block and gap was fabricated simultaneously in a design that the blocks can move freely in any direction without disengaging. The block assembly showed similar flexibility and shock absorption properties as itacolumite. In a vibration test using the blocks as a direct foundation, the vibration isolation effect was confirmed to reduce acceleration to one-third that of integral blocks. A construction method was also devised to produce this block assembly by casting concrete.