The seismic performance of residential housing under strong earthquake shaking

The base isolation system is well-known as a sophisticated device for reducing earthquake energy that a building structure is subjected to under earthquake impact. Currently, many researchers are attempting to develop low-cost base isolation intended for low-rise buildings by replacing steel reinforcement with an alternative material. In this research project, the seismic response of residential housing units that used perforated-reinforced elastomeric isolators (PREIs) within one- and two-story reinforced concrete (RC), are investigated. The nonlinear dynamic analysis (time history) considered seven ground motions to assess the seismic performance of the structure under extreme earthquake shaking. The nonlinear dynamic analysis method was developed to provide a more realistic model of structural response to strong ground shaking. The lateral displacement, inter-story drift, base shear, acceleration and overturning moment were analyzed to ensure that the low-rise building behaved elastically under strong ground motion without any damage on both nonstructural and structural components. The results illustrated that the application of the isolators in the low-rise building was reliable in providing low horizontal stiffness and a longer fundamental period. In addition, the study illustrated the advantage of applying isolators in the upper structure, reducing base shear, acceleration and drift ratio drastically. The large lateral displacement of the isolator played an important role in the stability of the isolated structure. Therefore, special attention must be paid in the design process of the isolator to guarantee suitable response of the upper structure under strong earthquake shaking.