Experimental Investigation on Performance of Multiple Direction Optimized-Friction Pendulum System With Multiple Sliding Interfaces in Mitigating Structural Responses During Earthquakes

This paper is aimed at the performance evaluation of the multiple direction-optimized friction pendulum system (MDO-FPS) with multiple sliding interfaces on seismic mitigation through a series of shaking table tests of a full scale building isolated with MDO-FPS isolators. Experimental tests of a three-story steel building of 40 tons in total weight, 3m and 4.5m in length and width, respectively, in two horizontal directions and 9m in height, subjected to various types of earthquakes were carried out to investigate the efficiency of the isolators in reducing structural responses during earthquakes. Results obtained from the shaking table tests demonstrate that the roof accelerations, base shears, column shear forces have been remarkably reduced while compared to the responses of a traditionally designed structure.