Visual and instrumental monitoring of base isolated buildings constructed in armenia and evaluation of the performance of their isolation systems

Abstract eng:
During the last 15 years the total number of base and roof isolated buildings, which are already constructed, retrofitted or are under construction in Armenia, has reached to 32. The number of seismic isolated buildings per capita in Armenia is one of the highest in the world. For the first time in the world retrofitting of the apartment and school buildings by base isolation in Armenia was carried out without interruption of the use of the buildings. Statistics on application of seismic isolation techniques for the last 15 years is given in the paper. New approach on installation of a group of small rubber bearings instead of one big bearing is described. Results of the time history analysis and analysis by the Armenian National Seismic Code of seismic isolated buildings are mentioned. Visual and instrumental monitoring of 8 apartment base isolated buildings and of a school base isolated building constructed or retrofitted in different years is presented. The vertical deformations of the rubber bearings and their rubber hardness are measured and compared with the same design values as well as with the experimental values obtained during the tests carried out in the country earlier. It was revealed that after 4-14 years of exploitation the measured on site characteristics well correspond to the design and experimental values. Also the periods of vibrations of the mentioned buildings are measured and compared with the design values. Obtained results as well as the visual inspection of the base isolated buildings show that violations of the requirements given in the design drawings and in the Guidelines on the Design and Construction of Base Isolated Buildings take place in some of the inspected buildings. It was noticed that in these buildings the free movement of the buildings in horizontal directions is restricted by different reasons. These reasons are discussed in the paper. The feedback from the tenants and their opinion about the behavior of the considered buildings during the earthquakes of different intensities is received and presented in the paper. The lessons from the carried out monitoring are drawn. Recommendations influencing decision-makers in construction policy and local authorities for further implementation of the modern anti-seismic technologies are prepared.

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