Small scale experimental testing to verify the effectiveness of the base isolation and tuned mass dampers combined control strategy

Abstract

This paper presents the most significant results obtained within a broad-ranging experimental program aiming to evaluate both the effectiveness and the robustness of a Base Isolation (BIS) and a Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) combined control strategy (BI & TMD). Following a brief description of the experimental model set-up and the adopted kinematic scaling technique, this paper describes the identification procedures carried out to characterize the system''s model. The dynamic response of a small-scale model to recorded earthquake excitations, which has been scaled by using the Buckingham pi-theorem, are later presented and discussed. Finally, the effectiveness and robustness of the combined control strategy is evaluated by comparing the model's dynamic response. In particular, reduction in relative displacements and absolute accelerations due to the application of different mass damping systems is investigated.