Aspects Regarding Rolling Pendulum Seismic Isolation Systems

Abstract

Special systems capable to ensure a proper isolation for building structures against dynamic actions have experienced a continuous development in the recent years. These systems are designed to provide increased safety for buildings subjected to destructive dynamic actions such as shocks, vibrations, but also seismic ground motions. Depending on their role within the structural components, this kind of devices may be classified as isolation systems providing isolation against different occurring motion, but also energy dissipating elements. Within the category of isolation systems there is a special mechanical device that can be used for the structure base isolation of bridges or buildings with reduced height. The mounting position is at the base, namely between the foundation and the superstructure. The device works on the principle of pendulum and consists of two metal plates between which there is a spherical piece that performs a rolling motion. This fitting method ensures freedom of movement for the lower part of the device together with foundation and ground, while the upper part together with superstructure tends to remain in the equilibrium position. This paper presents the model of rolling pendulum system (RPS), but also the experimental results obtained on a small-scaled bridge structure isolated with this kind of system.