RESPONSE OF SEGMENTAL BUILDINGS TO RANDOM SEISMIC MOTIONS

Abstract

This paper investigates the seismic response of segmental buildings subjected to random excitatiQns. The constrained optimization method is used to determine the optimal parameters for seismic isolation systems with the objective of minimizing the mean square acceleration response of a building subjected to random excitations. The seismic response of a typical segmental building to random excitations is investigated, and the results are compared with the response of corresponding fixed-base and base isolated buildings. The comparisons show that, similar to the base isolation technique, segmentation also effectively reduces the seismic building responses. However, when compared with the conventionally base-isolated building, the displacement response across the isolated system at the base level of the segmental building is significantly reduced.