Experimental Developments in Isolation/Energy Dissipation Platforms for the Seismic Protection of Equipment in Multistory Facilities

摘要

Applications of isolation/energy dissipation devices for the seismic protection of equipment and components in multistory buildings are limited, and experimental evidence on the effectiveness of these applications is lacking. This paper summarizes the developments of experimental studies to assess the seismic performance of different isolation/energy dissipation platforms for the protection of equipment under three-directional seismic floor accelerations of multistory facilities. The experimental studies consisted of earthquake simulation tests of different isolation/energy dissipation platforms under three directional shaking. The experimental studies included five different platforms based on energy-absorbing wire ropes, hinge-rubber bearings, lead-rubber bearings, among other isolation/energy dissipation mechanisms. The platforms supported full-scale equipment and simulated equipment with different properties; including relatively heavy and rigid simulated equipment and relatively light-weight tall frames that held computer equipment. The different platforms supporting a piece of equipment were subjected to seismic shaking that intended to simulate a variety of floor accelerations of different multistory buildings under earthquake shaking of varying intensities. This paper includes the summary of outcomes of the experimental studies and concludes on the performance of the platforms for the seismic protection of equipment under floor acceleration at different building levels, and discusses further research directions.