Seismic Damage Reduction of a Structural System based on Nontraditional Sliding Interfaces with Graphite Lubrication

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a free-standing structure that is unanchored to its foundation and has a cost-efficient interface consisting of common construction materials (steel, mortar, and iron) with graphite lubrication; this structure is expected to behave as an earthquake-resistant structure during small earthquakes and a base-isolated structure during large earthquakes. To realize the structure, this study examined the frictions of the interfaces in shaking table tests. In addition, the seismic responses of the free-standing structures based on the interfaces were examined via incremental dynamic analyses with 44 ground motions and a simple model of typical Japanese steel structures.