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Bidirectional shaking table tests of a low‐cost friction sliding system with flat‐inclined surfaces
Author(s) -
Brito Miguel B.,
Akiyama Mitsuyoshi,
Ichikawa Yoshitaka,
Yamaguchi Hiroki,
Honda Riki,
Ishigaki Naomitsu
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
earthquake engineering and structural dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.218
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9845
pISSN - 0098-8847
DOI - 10.1002/eqe.3266
Subject(s) - earthquake shaking table , structural engineering , residual , displacement (psychology) , transverse plane , surface (topology) , acceleration , oscillation (cell signaling) , pier , engineering , geotechnical engineering , materials science , geometry , computer science , physics , psychology , mathematics , algorithm , classical mechanics , biology , psychotherapist , genetics
Summary A novel low‐cost friction sliding system for bidirectional excitation is developed to improve the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) bridge piers. The sliding system is a spherical prototype developed by combining a central flat surface with an inclined spherical segment, characterized by stable oscillation and a large reduction in response accelerations on the flat surface. The inclined part provides a restoring force that limits the residual displacements of the system. Conventional steel and concrete are employed to construct a flat‐inclined spherical surface atop an RC pier. The seismic forces are dissipated through the frictions generated during the sliding movements; hence, the seismic resilience of bridges can be ensured with a low‐cost design solution. The proposed system is fabricated utilizing a mold created by a three‐dimensional printer, which facilitates the use of conventional concrete to construct spherical shapes. The concrete surface is lubricated with a resin material to prevent abrasion from multiple input ground motions. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the system, bidirectional shaking table tests are conducted in the longitudinal and transverse directions of a scaled bridge model. The effect of the inclination angle and the flat surface size is investigated. The results demonstrate a large decrease in response acceleration when the system exhibits circular sliding displacement. Furthermore, the inclination angle that generates the smallest residual displacement is identified experimentally.