Experimental study on a shaking table of a 3-floor light-framed timber structure with impactresilient frictional seismic isolators

Abstract

The construction of buildings has contributed considerably to environmental pollution. For this reason, different countries have implemented public policies focused on reducing the carbon footprint through the use of wood in construction. On the other hand, base isolation is an effective technology for seismic protection, which has been implemented mainly in concrete and steel buildings. Still, one of the aspects that has most limited its use is the cost of its implementation (isolator devices, isolation base, perimeter moat wall). This paper presents the results of a shaking table test of a light frame timber building of 3 floors at a 1:2 scale, isolated with frictional pendulum devices, which are resilient to impact. The experimental results indicated that the superstructure did not present damage even when subjected to extreme ground motions (demands higher than the maximum possible earthquake). The use of these devices could avoid the construction of a perimeter wall since they can absorb in a controlled way the effects of the
eventual impact of the sliders against their inner ring.