Shaking Table Tests of the Smart Restorable Sliding Base Isolation System (SRSBIS)

This article reports on the experimental investigation of the Smart Restorable Sliding Base Isolation System (SRSBIS), proposed for the earthquake-resistant design of structures. SRSBIS is composed of steel-PTFE Flat Sliding Bearings (FSBs), supporting gravity loads while allowing large horizontal displacements, and superelastic Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires, providing the necessary horizontal stiffness and restoring capability. Three different configurations can be alternatively considered based on the arrangement of the SMA elements in vertical, bracing, and horizontal directions. A model scale test-structure has been set up for the system with the SMA wires arranged in vertical direction, representing the isolation units that can be practically used under each column of base isolated buildings. A shaking table test program has been then conducted on the model structure. The experimental outcomes clearly showed that SRSBIS can be reliably used for the passive control of the seismic vibrations of buidlings and other structures.