Performance of Non-Linear Elastomeric Base-Isolated building structure

The seismic response of multistory building supported on base isolation is investigated under real earthquake time history motion. The force deformation behavior of an isolator is modeled as Bi-linear hysteretic behavior which can be effectively used to model all isolation system in practice. Uniform Building Code (UBC-97) is widely used in design of base isolation systems which contains provision according for near fault effect. In order to investigate the performance of base isolation systems, design according to UBC-97 under near fault earthquake. Non-linear time history analysis of a four storey base isolated building, located at close to an active fault. The isolation system is composed of high damping rubber bearing. Design displacements are estimated using UBC-97 parameter. The building is subjected to 1979 El-Centro, 1995 Kobe and 1994 Northridge earthquakes. The analysis result shows that UBC-97 predicts isolator displacements successfully. Floor acceleration and inter-story drifts of the subject base isolated building are significantly reduced when compared to its fixed base counterpart.