Collaborative Research: An Innovative Gap Damper to Control Seismic Isolator Displacements in Extreme Earthquakes

该研究项目将研究使用一种特殊的间隙阻尼器，该阻尼器旨在限制过度变形，而不会造成冲击和相关的高频运动和加速度。在建筑物抗震基础隔震系统的设计中，隔震器必须允许有较大的变形。同时，必须控制这种变形，以避免在罕见但可能发生的强地震动中达到位移极限而对结构造成破坏。该项目涉及先进的分析和数值模拟研究，以确定理想性能的最佳间隙阻尼器特性，如间隙元件的大小，前后间隙隔离系统刚度的比例，以及在不引起建筑物大加速度的情况下减少位移的能量耗散需求。奥本大学结构研究实验室将对独立阻尼器进行实验研究，以表征阻尼器的耗能特性。内华达大学里诺分校大尺度结构实验室的振动台研究将验证所提出的间隙阻尼器方案的有效性。本研究将提供一个实验和分析验证的框架，从而在不同的地震场景下可靠的基于性能的建筑物隔震设计。该研究项目预计将导致更好的基础隔离系统的设计，这些系统通常用于关键或必要的设施，如医院、应急操作中心、消防站和其他重要建筑物。研究结果将通过在技术期刊上发表、在专业会议上发言和为该项目的建立网站等方式广泛传播，以便向从业人员实际执行。实验数据将被存档在乔治·e·布朗地震工程模拟网络数据库中，以方便地震工程界的其他研究人员访问。该项目将通过参与项目研究活动，为研究生和本科生提供高级培训。为了提高人们对地震工程的认识和重要性，“侦察教育计划”将在下一次大地震后，由几名来自代表性不足群体的高年级本科生参与地震侦察任务。这种参与有望为学生提供改变生活的体验，并激励他们长期致力于地震工程。

This research project will study the use of a special gap damper that is designed to limit the excessive deformation without causing impact and the associated high frequency motions and accelerations. In the design of a seismic base isolation system for a building, an isolator must be allowed to deform a significant amount. At the same time, this deformation must be controlled to avoid structural damage due to its reaching the displacement limit in a rare but possible strong ground motion. The project involves advanced analytical and numerical simulation studies to determine the optimal gap damper characteristics for desired performance such as the size of gap element, the ratio of pre- and post-gap isolation system stiffness, and the energy dissipation demand to reduce displacements without inducing large accelerations in the building. Experimental studies on a standalone damper will be conducted in the Structural Research Laboratory at Auburn University to characterize the energy dissipation properties of the damper. Shaking table studies at the Large Scale Structures Laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno will validate the effectiveness of the proposed gap damper scheme. This study will provide an experimentally and analytically validated framework leading to reliable performance-based isolator design of buildings under different seismic scenarios.This research project is expected to lead to better designs of base isolation systems that are often used in critical or essential facilities such as hospitals, emergency operation centers, fire stations, and other important buildings. The research results will be broadly disseminated for practical implementation to practitioners through publication in technical journals, presentations in professional conferences and the website created for the project. The experimental data will be archived on the George E. Brown Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation data repository for easy accessibility by other researchers in the earthquake engineering community. The project will provide advanced training to graduate and undergraduate students through their involvement in project research activities. To enhance the awareness and importance of earthquake engineering, a ?Reconnaissance Education Program" will be established with participation of several upper level undergraduate students with representation from underrepresented groups in an earthquake reconnaissance mission after the next major earthquake. This participation is expected to provide a life-changing experience for the students and to motivate them for long-term commitment to earthquake engineering.