An Economic Sliding Isolation System for Light Frame Residential Structures

Abstract eng:
Experience from past earthquakes has shown that light frame residential houses in the United States typically pose a low collapse risk, but they are susceptible to damage that can lead to significant financial loss and displacement of residents. The authors have developed a low-cost seismic isolation system that uses standard construction details and balances isolator displacement demands with base shear force demands through a high-friction sliding system. The isolation system consists of high-density polyethylene sliders on a flat or concave galvanized steel sliding surface, with a sliding coefficient of friction between 0.15 and 0.25 at the isolation interface. The inherent strength and low mass of light frame residential construction allows for a high-friction isolation system to effectively eliminate superstructure damage during even large earthquakes. Parametric studies have shown that high friction interfaces economically reduce isolation displacement demands. Isolator sliding material and component tests have been conducted to characterize velocity and pressure dependent interface friction properties of the sliding isolators. Shaking table tests of a full-scale light framed isolated house have been conducted at the shared-use NEES facility at the University of California at San Diego. Results of these tests presented herein have (a) confirmed that the isolation system can effectively eliminate damage to the light frame superstructure under repeated severe earthquake ground shaking (b) validated nonlinear computer models to determine sliding isolator and superstructure performance, and (c) demonstrated the constructability and economic practicality of the proposed details for the foundation and wood-framed first floor isolation platform.

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