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

本研究项目将研究使用一种特殊的间隙阻尼器，该间隙阻尼器旨在限制过度变形，而不会引起冲击和相关的高频运动和加速度。 在建筑物的地震基础隔震系统的设计中，必须允许隔震器发生显著的变形。 同时，必须控制这种变形，以避免在罕见但可能的强地面运动中由于其达到位移极限而导致结构损坏。 该项目涉及先进的分析和数值模拟研究，以确定所需性能的最佳间隙阻尼器特性，例如间隙元件的尺寸，前后间隙隔离系统刚度的比率，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。奥本大学的结构研究实验室将对独立阻尼器进行实验研究，以表征阻尼器的能量耗散特性。在内华达州里诺大学的大型结构实验室进行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，导致在不同的地震场景下的建筑物的可靠的基于性能的隔震设计，该研究项目预计将导致更好的基础隔震系统的设计，通常用于关键或必要的设施，如医院，紧急操作中心，消防站，和其他重要的建筑物。研究结果将通过在技术期刊上发表、在专业会议上介绍和为该项目创建的网站，向从业人员广泛传播，供实际执行。实验数据将在乔治E. Brown Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation数据存储库，便于地震工程界的其他研究人员访问。该项目将通过研究生和本科生参与项目研究活动，向他们提供高级培训。为了提高人们对地震工程的认识和重视，在下一次大地震后的地震侦察使命中，将建立“侦察教育计划”，由几名高水平的本科生参与，代表性不足的群体。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.