Dynamic responses of structures with sliding base

This paper presents dynamic responses of structures with sliding base which limits the translation of external loads from ground excitation. A discrete element model based on the discontinuous deformation analysis method is proposed to study this sliding boundary problem. The sliding base is simulated using sets of fictitious contact springs along the sliding interface. The set of contact spring is to translate friction force from ground to superstructure. Validity of the proposed model is examined by the closed-form solutions of an idealized mass-spring structural model subjected to harmonic ground excitation. This model is also applied to a problem of a three-story structural model subjected to the ground excitation of 1940 El Centro earthquake. Analyses of both sliding-base and fixed-base conditions are performed as comparisons. This study shows that using this model can simulate the dynamic response of a sliding structure with frictional cut-off quite accurately. Results reveal that lowering the frictional coefficient of the sliding joint will reduce the peak responses. The structure responses in little deformation, but it displaces at the end of excitation.