Seismic base isolation

by
Sudarshan Barole
15CE64Ro7

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
KHARAGPUR

Introduction

When an earthquake occurs, energy is transmitted from source in the form of

seismic waves.

The waves generated cause the vibration of ground and structure resting on it.

Depending on the characteristics of these vibrations, the ground may develop

cracks, fissures and settlements

One of the most widely implemented and accepted seismic protection systems
is base isolation.

2. Base Isolation

The term isolation refers to

reduced interaction between
structure and the ground.

Base isolation is a technique

developed to prevent or minimize
damage to buildings during an
earthquake.

uncouples the structure for the

damaging effects of the ground
motion

Concept of Base isolation

The concept of isolation can be explained very clearly by taking some real life
example as given below

boxer can stand still and take the full force of a punch but a boxer with any
sense will roll back so that the power of the punch is dissipated before it
reaches its target.

A structure without isolation is almost the same with the upright boxer, taking
the full force of the earthquake

the isolated building rolls back to reduce the impact of the earthquake

Principles of base isolation

The fundamental principle of base

isolation is to minimize the level of
earthquake force transmitted to the
buildings

It help the structure to behave as a

flexible one.

It reduces demand rather than

increasing the strength of structure

Types of isolators

Elastomeric Isolators

Natural Rubber Bearings

Low-Damping Rubber Bearings

Lead-Rubber Bearings

High-Damping Rubber Bearings

Sliding Isolators

Resilient Friction System

Friction Pendulum System

Types of isolators

Friction pendulum system

Advantages

Very high increase in strength of building is not economically justify. So base

isolation provides an economical option to construct any structure.

Base isolation can also use in retrofitting of old buildings

With controlled movement caused by seismic isolators, contents are not

subject to violent and sudden shakes

Case study

In India, base isolation technique was first demonstrated after the 1993 Killari
(Maharashtra) Earthquake.

During 2001 in Gujarat earthquake, the local hospital in Bhuji (420km west of
state capital Gandhinagar) collapsed claiming approx. 176 lives.

The four-storey Bhuj Hospital building was then re-built with base isolation
technique.

Lead-rubber base-isolation system is used in the building as shown in figure.

View of Basement in Bhuj Hospital building

conclusion

Base isolation provides an effective and reliable method of earthquake

resistance design.

It provides an alternative to the conventional, fixed base design of structures

It is also economical than conventional method

Finally we must utilise the concept, principles of base isolation for careful
design of structure and for further research purpose.

References

Anand S. Arya (1994). Concepts and Techniques for seismic base isolation of
structures. Tenth world conference, earthquake engineering

Johnson, E. (2004) Structural Dynamics (EESD). Vol. 32, pp. 1333-1352.

Kelly E. Trevor (2001), Base Isolation of Structures, Design Guidelines

Skinner,W.H. Robinson and G.H. Mcverry(1993). An

introduction to seismic isolation Wiley and sons.