Introduction into the traditional seismic design. Strength, ductility, dissipation of energy and seismic isolation. Displacements and forces. The beneficial roles of large flexibility and additional damping. Linear viscoelastic behavior. Linear theory of seismic isolation. Analysis of recordings from seismically isolated structures. Modern regulations about seismic isolation (UBC – SEAONC, FEMA 273 & 274). Mechanical behavior of elastometallic bearings. Mechanical behavior of slip bearings. Mathematical modeling of the mechanical behavior of bearings. Transition from slippage to the elastoplastic and bi-linear behavior. Seismic vibrations near the fault with distinct pulses of ground acceleration and velocity. Introduction to nondimensional analysis and the effectiveness of seismic isolation from strong earthquakes. Additional (supplemental) damping. Friction dampers, metallic and viscoelastic dampers. Applications in buildings and bridges.

• J.M. Kelly, Earthquake Resistant Design with Rubber, Springer-Verlag, London 1997.
• R.I. Skinner, W.H. Robinson and G.H. McVerry, An Introduction to Seismic Isolation, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester 1993.
• T.T. Soong and G.F. Dargush, Passive Energy Dissipation Systems in Structural Engineering, John Wiley and Sons, Chichester 1997.
• Handouts, papers and reports (distributed or made available for photocopying).

Prerequisites

• Structural Mechanics
• Structural Dynamics

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, Computer programming homework

Assessment and grading methods

30 % homework, 70% term project