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Seismic base isolation by nonlinear mode localization

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Abstract

In this paper, the performance of a nonlinear base-isolation system, comprised of a nonlinearly sprung subfoundation tuned in a 1:1 internal resonance to a flexible mode of the linear primary structure to be isolated, is examined. The application of nonlinear localization to seismic isolation distinguishes this study from other base-isolation studies in the literature. Under the condition of third-order smooth stiffness nonlinearity, it is shown that a localized nonlinear normal mode (NNM) is induced in the system, which confines energy to the subfoundation and away from the primary or main structure. This is followed by a numerical analysis wherein the smooth nonlinearity is replaced by clearance nonlinearity, and the system is excited by ground motions representing near-field seismic events. The performance of the nonlinear system is compared with that of the corresponding linear system through simulation, and the sensitivity of the isolation system to several design parameters is analyzed. These simulations confirm the existence of the localized NNM, and show that the introduction of simple clearance nonlinearity significantly reduces the seismic energy transmitted to the main structure, resulting in significant attenuation in the response.

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Author notes

  1. Y. Wang

    Present address: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA

    Y. Wang

  2. Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA

    D. M. McFarland

  3. Division of Mechanics, National Technical University of Athens, Greece

    A. F. Vakakis

  4. Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (adjunct), University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA

    L. A. Bergman

Authors
  1. Y. Wang
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  2. D. M. McFarland
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  3. A. F. Vakakis
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  4. L. A. Bergman
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Additional information

This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation Grant CMS 00-00060. The authors are grateful for this support.

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Wang, Y., McFarland, D., Vakakis, A. et al. Seismic base isolation by nonlinear mode localization. Arch Appl Mech 74, 387–414 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00419-004-0361-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00419-004-0361-6

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