A new concept on live load balance strategy for smart 3-D seismic base isolation design for high-tech industrial buildings

摘要

The high-tech industry represents a major multi-billion dollar economic commodity in the United States. The national economic well-being in many instances relies on the maintenance of safe high-tech manufacturing productivity that must be protected during seismic excitations. Seismic base isolation, known as base isolation, has been used to provide an innovative alternate for the seismic design of new structure. Practical 2-D base isolation applications have begun to be actively used for the past decade. For light industrial facilities, live load range varies from 75 psf to 125 psf according to U.S.building codes. These loads change in magnitude and location frequently. This situation will usually cause horizontal and vertical eccentricities between the center of stiffness and the center of mass of the superstructure. Such eccentricities will amplify torsion, tilting, and rocking responses that are detrimental to critical high-tech facilities and equipment during strong earthquakes. This paper presents a concept on live load balance required in 3-D seismic base isolation design. The goal of the proposed research is to develop an intelligent 3-D seismic base isolation system aimed at protecting critical high-tech manufacturing buildings and their contents.