Seismic performance of a base isolated structure by shake table tests

A 1/4 scaled model structure has been tested on a shake table to investigate the effectiveness of a passive-hybrid isolation system for a three-storey mass concentric steel structure. The isolation system consists of two high damping rubber bearings (HDRB) and four flat sliding bearings (PTFE), which are located below the central and corner columns, respectively. To maintain dynamic similitude, each earthquake record was compressed in time by a factor of two. Measurements were taken at structural points and at the bearings. Two different type of HDRB's were tested. A numerical model for the structure was developed and calibrated by the data from the experimental studies. The effectiveness of the hybrid isolation system is verified by comparing the results obtained from both isolated and fixed base models.