Protective Systems

The implementation of protective systems to mitigate the damaging effects of the earthquake response on both structural and nonstructural components of the test specimen is being investigated. Protective systems are defined herein as any system that is intended to improve the performance of the building components during earthquakes.

Protective system for NCSs

Seismic Protective Mechanisms for NCS
Fig. 1 Seismic Protective
Mechanisms for NCS
A task within this project is to identify those NCSs that are likely candidates for use of protective measures, develop cost and construction feasible measures, and implement, monitor and evaluate the NCS response with the designed protective systems. Measures to be considered may include simple mechanical solutions, such as wire bracing or ductile restraint systems, or slightly more elaborate systems such as visco-elastic dampers, isolators or hybrid damping-isolator systems. The type of protective systems for the NCSs and their details is being defined in consultation with our industry partners. This task is critical to:
  • Develop protective mechanisms to enhance seismic performance of NCS
  • Assess responses of NCS and its protective mechanisms, as well as its interaction with the primary structure
  • Identify the need for protective mechanisms on NCS
  • Assess the performance of protective mechanisms for subsequent optimization
  • Characterize protective mechanisms for NCSs to improve analysis models
  • Develop simplified design methodologies for protective mechanisms
  • Provide both design parameters and guidance for installation

Base isolated buildings

Base isolated buildings
Fig. 2 Base isolated buildings
The possibility of providing overall building base isolators is being considered. The implementation of isolators at the base of the building would provide the unique opportunities to assess:
  • the interaction of NCS, their anchorage, bracing and protective mechanisms and the primary structure during earthquake excitations on a base-isolated building and
  • the effectiveness of seismic isolation systems on a full-scaled building.
The decision regarding the implementation of the base isolated option is being investigated in close collaboration with our ISC.