Localization induced base isolation in fractionally damped non linear system

In the present article we take up the study of nonlinear localization induced base isolation of a 3 degree of freedom system having cubic nonlinearities under sinusoidal base excitation. The damping forces in the system are described by functions of fractional derivative of the instantaneous displacements, typically linear and quadratic damping are considered here separately. Under the assumption of smallness of certain system parameters and nonlinear terms an approximate estimate of the response at each degree of freedom of the system is obtained by the Method of Multiple Scales approach. We then consider a similar system where the nonlinear terms and certain other parameters are no longer small. Direct numerical simulation is made use of to obtain the amplitude plot in the frequency domain for this case, which helps us to establish the efficacy of this method of base isolation for a broad class of systems. Base isolation obtained this way has no counterpart in the linear theory.

Base Isolation of Buildings for Control of Ground-borne Vibration

These works, edited by Malcolm Crocker, positioned Wiley as a major player in the acoustics reference market.

Issues related to the selection of U.S. Navy buildings for base isolation /

"Investigation conducted by University of California, Los Angeles; sponsored by Naval Facilities Engineering Command."

Simplified design method for energy dissipating devices in retrofitting of seismically isolated bridges

Abstract: Highway bridges have great values in a country because in case of any natural disaster they may serve as lines to save people’s lives. Being vulnerable under significant seismic loads, different methods can be considered to design resistant highway bridges and rehabilitate the existing ones. In this study, base isolation has been considered as one efficient method in this regards which in some cases reduces significantly the seismic load effects on the structure. By reducing the ductility demand on the structure without a notable increase of strength, the structure is designed to remain elastic under seismic loads. The problem associated with the isolated bridges, especially with elastomeric bearings, can be their excessive displacements under service and seismic loads. This can defy the purpose of using elastomeric bearings for small to medium span typical bridges where expansion joints and clearances may result in significant increase of initial and maintenance cost. Thus, supplementing the structure with dampers with some stiffness can serve as a solution which in turn, however, may increase the structure base shear. The main objective of this thesis is to provide a simplified method for the evaluation of optimal parameters for dampers in isolated bridges. Firstly, performing a parametric study, some directions are given for the use of simple isolation devices such as elastomeric bearings to rehabilitate existing bridges with high importance. Parameters like geometry of the bridge, code provisions and the type of soil on which the structure is constructed have been introduced to a typical two span bridge. It is concluded that the stiffness of the substructure, soil type and special provisions in the code can determine the employment of base isolation for retrofitting of bridges. Secondly, based on the elastic response coefficient of isolated bridges, a simplified design method of dampers for seismically isolated regular highway bridges has been presented in this study. By setting objectives for reduction of displacement and base shear variation, the required stiffness and damping of a hysteretic damper can be determined. By modelling a typical two span bridge, numerical analyses have followed to verify the effectiveness of the method. The method has been used to identify equivalent linear parameters and subsequently, nonlinear parameters of hysteretic damper for various designated scenarios of displacement and base shear requirements. Comparison of the results of the nonlinear numerical model without damper and with damper has shown that the method is sufficiently accurate. Finally, an innovative and simple hysteretic steel damper was designed. Five specimens were fabricated from two steel grades and were tested accompanying a real scale elastomeric isolator in the structural laboratory of the Université de Sherbrooke. The test procedure was to characterize the specimens by cyclic displacement controlled tests and subsequently to test them by real-time dynamic substructuring (RTDS) method. The test results were then used to establish a numerical model of the system which went through nonlinear time history analyses under several earthquakes. The outcome of the experimental and numerical showed an acceptable conformity with the simplified method.

Isolating shallow foundations from seismic loading

Most modern design codes do not allow for movement between a shallow foundation and the underlying soil during seismic loading. Consequently, the full magnitude of seismic energy is transmitted from the soil to the foundation during an earthquake. This energy either has to be dissipated before reaching the superstructure via engineering solutions such as base isolation systems, or the structure itself must withstand the full impact of the earthquake resulting in high material usage and expensive design. However, the inherent hysteric behaviour of soil can be used to isolate a foundation from the underlying soil. As part of a study into the soil-structure-interaction of shallow foundations, methods to optimise foundation isolation were investigated. In this paper the results from centrifuge tests investigating two of these methods are compared to results when no special foundation layout was implemented and the impact of the proposed isolation methods is discussed. © 2010 Taylor & Francis Group, London.

Utilizzo di dispositivi isteretici per l'isolamento di piano: strategie per una progettazione sismica di tipo multi-prestazionale

Con la presente tesi si è inteso studiare le possibilità applicative di una particolare tipologia strutturale dotata di isolamento sismico “di piano”, intendendosi con ciò una struttura in cui l'intero piano terra, tramite l'inserimento di opportuni elementi dissipativi isteretici ed in analogia al consueto isolamento sismico di base, agisce da “strato” di protezione passiva per i piani sovrastanti. A riguardo, fra le possibili soluzioni per realizzare effettivamente tale isolamento "di piano" è stata considerata la disposizione di particolari elementi dissipativi isteretici di controvento detti Crecent-Shaped Braces, caratterizzati da una forma bilatera o curva, tale comunque da presentare un'eccentricità non nulla fra l'asse del controvento stesso e la linea congiungente gli estremi.

Tendencias actuales en la construcción sismorresistente para edificios en hormigón armado

Este estudio aborda la recopilación de nuevas tendencias del diseño sismorresistente, enfocándose en la técnica del aislamiento de base, por ser la más efectiva, difundida y utilizada; y el análisis de las ventajas que puede tener una edificación que aplica dicha técnica, desde el punto de vista estructural y económico. Se elige la tipología más frecuente o común de edificios de hormigón armado propensos a ser aislados, que en este caso es un hospital, cuyo modelo empotrado se somete a varias normas sismorresistentes comparando principalmente fuerzas de cortante basal, y considerando la interacción suelo-estructura; para asistir a este cálculo se desarrolla un programa de elementos viga de 6 gdl por nodo en código Matlab. El modelo aislado incluye el análisis de tres combinaciones de tipos de aisladores HDR, LPR y FPS, alternando modelos lineales simplificados de 1 y 3 gdl por piso, evaluando diferencias de respuestas de la estructura, y procediendo a la elección de la combinación que de resultados más convenientes; para la modelación no lineal de cada sistema de aislamiento se utiliza el método explícito de diferencias centrales. Finalmente, se realiza un análisis comparativo de daños esperados en el caso de la ocurrencia del sismo de diseño, utilizando el método rápido y tomando como referencia el desplazamiento espectral del último piso; llegando a dar conclusiones y recomendaciones para el uso de sistemas de aislamiento. This study addresses the collection of new seismic design trends, focusing on base isolation technique, as the most effective and widely used, and the analysis of the advantages in buildings that apply this technique, from the structurally and economically point of view. Choosing the most common types of concrete buildings likely to be isolated, which in this case is a hospital, the fix model is subjected to various seismic codes mainly comparing base shear forces, and considering the soil-structure interaction; for this calculation attend a program of bars 6 dof per node is made in Matlab code. The isolated model includes analysis of three types of isolators combinations HDR, LPR and FPS, alternating simplified linear model of 1 and 3 dof per floor, evaluating differences in the response of the structure, and proceeding to the choice of the combination of results more convenient; for modeling nonlinear each insulation system, the explicit central difference method is used. Finally, a comparative analysis of expected damage in the case of the design earthquake, using a fast combined method and by reference to the spectral displacement of the top floor; reaching conclusions and give recommendations for the use of insulation systems.

A nation’s role in addressing base erosion and profit shifting : balancing sovereignty with international collaboration and coordination

The notion of sovereignty is central to any international tax issue. While a nation is free to design its tax laws as it sees fit and raise revenue in accordance with the needs of its citizens, it is not possible to undertake such a task in isolation. In a world of cross-border investments and business transactions, all tax regimes impact on one another. Tax interactions between sovereign states cannot be avoided. Ultimately, the interactions mean that a nation must decide whether to engage in both collaboration and coordination with other nations and supranational bodies alike or maintain an individualised stance in relation to its tax policy. Whatever the decision, there is arguably an exercise in national sovereignty in some form. In the context of an international tax regime, whether that regime is interpreted broadly as meaning international norms generally adopted by nations around the world or domestic regimes legislating for cross-border transactions, rhetoric around national fiscal sovereignty takes on many different forms. At one end of the spectrum it is relied upon by financial secrecy jurisdictions (tax havens) as a defence to their position on the basis that ‘other’ nations cannot interfere with the fiscal sovereignty of a jurisdiction. At the other end of the spectrum, it is argued that profit shifting and international tax avoidance if not stopped is, in and of itself, a threat to a nation’s fiscal sovereignty on the basis that it threatens the ability to tax and raise the revenue needed. This paper considers a modern conceptualisation of sovereignty along with its role within international tax coordination and collaboration to argue that a move towards a more unified approach to addressing international base erosion and profit shifting may be the ultimate exercise of national fiscal sovereignty. By using the current transfer pricing regime as a case study, this paper posits that it is not merely enough to have international agreement on allocation rules to be applied, but that the ultimate exercise of national sovereignty is political agreement with other states to ensure that it is governments which determine the allocational basis of worldwide profits to be taxed. In doing so, it is demonstrated that the arm’s length pricing requirement of the current transfer pricing regime, rather than providing governments with the ability to determine the location of profits, is providing multinational entities with the ultimate power to determine that location. If left unchecked, this will eventually erode a nation’s ability to capture the required tax revenue and, as a consequence, may be deemed a failure by nation states to exercise their fiscal sovereignty.

A nation's role in addressing base erosion and profit shifting : sovereignty in relation to transfer pricing

The notion of sovereignty is central to any international tax issue. While a nation is free to design its tax laws as it sees fit and raise revenue in accordance with the needs of its citizens, it is not possible to undertake such a task in isolation. Tax interactions between sovereign states cannot be avoided. Ultimately, the interactions mean that a nation must decide whether or engage in both collaboration and co ordination with other nations and supranational bodies alike or maintain a unilateral stance in relation to its tax policy. This article considers a modern conceptualisation of sovereignty to argue that a move towards a more unified approach to addressing international base erosion and profit sharing may be the ultimate exercise of national fiscal sovereignty.