Experimental Study on the Dynamic Characteristics of Isolated Structures

Abstract

This paper deals with an experimental investigation on the dynamic behavior of single-story and single-bay steel frame structures with or without sliding system at the base by using an electro-magnetic type shaking table. The model structures are composed of four columns which are rigidly connected to the roof and base plates and the sliding mechanism. From the results of the preliminary frictional tests of steel plates as well as the results of the dynamic main tests of isolated structures, it is concluded that the aseismic safety of the upper main structure considerably increases by introducing a sliding mechanism at the base. The response analysis of a system with two degrees of freedom, in which the rigid-plastic hysteresis and the negative damping in the restoring force characteristics of the frictional force are incorporated, satisfactorily duplicates the dynamic behavior of isolated structures.