Evaluation of strategies for seismic design

Abstract

Current trends in seismic design require a new approach, oriented in satisfying motion related design requirements and limiting both structural and non-structural damage. Seismic isolation and damping devices are currently used in buildings as two innovative performance-based design approaches. This thesis explores the effectiveness and the differences of the two methods in mitigating the motion of buildings when subjected to earthquake excitation. The concept, advantages, constraints and limitations of the implementation of these two methods are discussed. Major types of isolators and damping devices are presented. A comparative analysis of the seismic response of a fixed base structure, a base isolated and a structure with damping devices is performed with the use of SAP2000.