EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION ON THE APPLICABILITY OF POLYMER DEVICES FOR THE MITIGATION OF EARTHQUAKE-INDUCED STRUCTURAL POUNDING

摘要

Pounding between buildings or bridge segments during earthquakes may result in significant structural damage. A number of different pounding mitigation techniques have been considered in order to suppress impacts and therefore enhance the structural performance. Among them, the use of links placed between the colliding elements has been verified as one of the most effective methods. The aim of the present paper is to show the preliminary results of the experimental investigation on the applicability of link devices made of polymer mass. First, the polymer has been subjected to static tension and compression tests. Then, the devices made of polymer mass have been tested under sinusoidal excitation with different frequencies and strain levels. The results of the study indicate that the polymer device shows relatively low resistance under small displacements, which concern normal operation of the structure. On the other hand, the device shows stiffening effect for higher displacements, which take place during earthquakes. Additionally, the observed hysteretic behaviour of the device leads to the increase of the energy dissipation during earthquake-induced vibrations. This allows us to consider the application of the link polymer devices as a promising method in reduction of negative effects of earthquake-induced structural pounding.