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Large-scale seismic isolation through regulated liquefaction: a feasibility study

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Abstract

Using controlled liquefaction, a seismic isolation technique is introduced by which a large area with dozens of structures can be seismically isolated. The proposed Large Scale Seismic Isolation (LSSI) is in many ways similar to conventional base isolations. The required bearing is provided by a fully undrained pre-saturated liquefiable layer which has substantial vertical stiffness/capacity and minimal lateral stiffness. Moreover, required energy dissipation would be provided through material damping and Biot flow-induced damping within the liquefied layer. LSSI consists of a thick nonliquefiable crust layer and an underlying engineered pre-saturated liquefiable layer bounded by two impermeable thin clay layers. The liquefiable layer should be designed to trigger liquefaction as soon as possible within the early seconds of a design level seismic event. Adopting the energy-based GMP liquefaction theory, optimum gradation of the liquefiable layer is also investigated. It turned out that LSSI would effectively reduce acceleration response spectrum within short to medium periods. Contribution of the proposed LSSI is more pronounced in the case of stronger ground motions such as near field events as well as ground motions with longer return periods.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Seyed Amin Mousavi

  2. International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology, Tehran, Iran

    Morteza Bastami

  3. Center of Excellence for Engineering and Management of Civil Infrastructures, School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Seyed Mehdi Zahrai

  4. School of Civil Engineering, University of Tehran, 16th Azar St., Enghelab Sq., Tehran, Iran

    Seyed Mehdi Zahrai

Authors
  1. Seyed Amin Mousavi
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  2. Morteza Bastami
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  3. Seyed Mehdi Zahrai
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Correspondence to Seyed Mehdi Zahrai.

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Mousavi, S.A., Bastami, M. & Zahrai, S.M. Large-scale seismic isolation through regulated liquefaction: a feasibility study. Earthq. Eng. Eng. Vib. 15, 579–595 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11803-016-0350-0

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