Probabilistic Behavior Assessment of Semi-Flexible and Flexible Base-Isolated Buildings

Abstract

Abstract Despite the well-known mechanical properties of the Lead Core Rubber Bearing (LCRB) system, it can act variously under different forms of ground motion with various components. Since the performance of seismically isolated buildings is unpredictable and varies under the several types of ground motions with different components, and as it depends on the variation of the mechanical properties of the base isolation systems, the probabilistic behavior of the semi-flexible and flexible base-isolated buildings has been evaluated in terms of preserving the structural system and vibration-sensitive contents. In this direction, four important key parameters of the LCRB system have been considered as variable parameters, and 94 pulse-like ground motions, whose pulse period ranges between 0.5 sec and 13 sec, have been selected from PEER strong ground motion database center. In this respect, a Monte Carlo simulation was performed and 28200 time-history analyses were implemented for each of the buildings selected in this study. Finally, detailed insight into the variability of seismic response was given to understand the behavior of the base-isolated buildings and the effect of the mechanical parameters of the base isolation systems considering the different components of the pulse-like ground motions.