• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.167-190
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• 2011

In order to upgrade the seismic resistibility of structures and enhance the functionality of an isolator, a new base isolator called the multiple trench friction pendulum system (MTFPS) is proposed in this study. The proposed MTFPS isolator is composed of a trench concave surface and several intermediate sliding plates in two orthogonal directions. Mathematical formulations have been derived to examine the characteristics of the proposed MTFPS isolator possessing numerous intermediate sliding plates. By means of mathematical formulations which have been validated by experimental results of bidirectional ground shaking, it can be inferred that the natural period and damping effect of the MTFPS isolator with several intermediate sliding plates can be altered continually and controllably during earthquakes. Furthermore, results obtained from the component and shaking table tests demonstrate that the proposed isolator provides good protection to structures for prevention of damage from strong earthquakes.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.111-125
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• 2014

Multiple level performance of seismically isolated elevated storage tank isolated with multi-phase friction pendulum bearing is investigated under totally 60 records developed for multiple level seismic hazard analysis (SLE, DBE and MCE). Mathematical formulations involving complex time history analysis have been proposed for analysis of typical storage tank by multi-phase friction pendulum bearing. Multi-phase friction pendulum bearing represent a new generation of adaptive friction isolation system to control super-structure demand in different hazard levels. This isolator incorporates four concave surfaces and three independent pendulum mechanisms. Pendulum stages can be set to address specific response criteria for moderate, severe and very severe events. The advantages of a Triple Pendulum Bearing for seismic isolation of elevated storage tanks are explored. To study seismic performance of isolated elevated storage tank with multi-phase friction pendulum, analytical simulations were performed with different friction coefficients, pendulum radii and slider displacement capacities.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.315-334
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• 2011

Seismic isolated building structures are examined in this study. The triple concave friction pendulum (TCFP) is used as a seismic isolation system which is easy to be manufactured and enduring more than traditional seismic isolation systems. In the TCFP, take advantage of weight which pendulum carrying and it's geometry in order to obtain desirable result of seismic isolation systems. These systems offer advantage to buildings which subject to severe earthquake. This is result of damping force of earthquake by means of their internal constructions, which consists of multiple surfaces. As the combinations of surfaces upon which sliding is occurring change, the stiffness and effective friction change accordingly. Additionally, the mentioned the TCFP is modeled as of a series arrangement of the three single concave friction pendulum (SCFP) bearings. A two dimensional- and eight- story of a building with and without isolation system are used in the time history analysis in order to investigate of the effectiveness of the seismic isolation systems on the buildings. Results are compared with each other to emphasize efficiency of the TCFP as a seismic isolation device against the other friction type isolation system like single and double concave surfaces. The values of the acceleration, floor displacement and isolator displacement obtained from the results by using different types of the isolation bearings are compared each other. As a result, the findings show that the TCFP bearings are more effective devices for isolation of the buildings against severe earthquakes.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.701-723
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• 2015

Friction isolators are one of the most important types of bearings used to mitigate damages of earthquakes. The adaptive behavior of these isolators allows them to achieve multiple levels of performances and predictable seismic behavior during different earthquake hazard levels. There are three main types of friction isolators. The first generation with one sliding surface is known as Friction Pendulum System (FPS) isolators. The double concave friction pendulum (DCFP) with two sliding surfaces is an advanced form of FPS, and the third one, with fully adaptive behavior, is named as triple concave friction pendulum (TCFP). The current study has been conducted to investigate and compare seismic responses of these three types of isolators. The structure is idealized as a two-dimensional single degree of freedom (SDOF) resting on isolators. The coupled differential equations of motion are derived and solved using state space formulation. Seismic responses of isolated structures using each one of these isolators are investigated under seven near fault earthquake motions. The peak values of bearing displacement and base shear are studied employing the variation of essential parameters such as superstructure period, effective isolation period and effective damping of isolator. The results demonstrate a more efficient seismic behavior of TCFP isolator comparing to the other types of isolators. This efficiency depends on the selected effective isolation period as well as effective isolation damping. The investigation shows that increasing the effective isolation period or decreasing the effective isolation damping improves the seismic behavior of TCFP compared to the other isolators. The maximum difference in seismic responses, the base shear and the bearing displacement, for the TCFP isolator are calculated 26.8 and 13.4 percent less than the DCFP and FPS in effective isolation damping equal to10%, respectively.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.205-215
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• 2010

Recently, earthquake proof technology has been widely applied to both new and existing structures and bridges. The analysis of bridge systems equipped with structural control devices, which possess large degrees of freedom and nonlinear characteristics, is a result in time-consuming task. Therefore, a piecewise exact solution is proposed in this study to simplify the seismic mitigation analysis process for bridge systems equipped with sliding-type isolators. In this study, the simplified system having two degrees of freedom, to reasonably represent the large number of degrees of freedom of a bridge, and is modeled to obtain a piecewise exact solution for system responses during earthquakes. Simultaneously, we used the nonlinear finite element computer program to analyze the bridge responses and verify the accuracy of the proposed piecewise exact solution for bridge systems equipped with sliding-type isolators. The conclusions derived by comparing the results obtained from the piecewise exact solution and nonlinear finite element analysis reveal that the proposed solution not only simplifies the calculation process but also provides highly accurate seismic responses of isolated bridges under earthquakes.