Comparison of seismic structural behavior of high-rise buildings with and without base isolation

Comparison of the seismic structural behavior of high-rise buildings with and without energy dampers. PhD. Eng. Egla Luca – UBT – Higher Education Institution, Lagjja Kalabria, 10000 p.n., Prishtine, Kosovo egla.luca@gmail.com ; egla.luca@ubt-uni.net Albania is one of the countries most prone to seismic oscillations in the Balkans (Aliaj, Sulstarova, Peci, Muco, 2004). Recent devastating earthquakes have shown that reinforced concrete buildings have suffered maximum damage and are responsible for the loss of life. Due to reasons such as design codes, non-appropriate seismic detailing and lack of experience in high-rise building construction, these types of structures are vulnerable to earthquakes. It is therefore important to evaluate the seismic performance of high-rise buildings in Albania. In Albania, as a country with high seismic hazard, it is very important the design and seismic evaluation of buildings. From the economic perspective, there are two options: repair or demolition. The opportunity to choose is given by the assessment of their actual condition. (Luca Guri, Lluka, , 2015) High-rise buildings during their lifetime are subject to dynamic loads continuously, caused by the wind, seismic oscillations, vibrations caused by machineries, etc. In some cases, under the action of strong earthquakes, structures undergo large displacements and may suffer significant structural damage, and even be destroyed. With the growth of population every year, more and more increases the role of high structures, and therefore the design of these structures should have a greater importance. In other words, the design of high-rise structures in seismic areas as Albania is a major challenge. The most dangerous consequence of the earthquake is the collapse of the building caused by large displacements of the structure. Therefore, the structure should have sufficient ductility which is imperative to limit the displacements, in this way and Force - Displacement effect will be smaller. This can be accomplished by placing to the structure elements that stiffener it, such as a shear walls or steel braces, or dumpers. The focus of this paper is to analyze the use of base isolators as a method to limit the displacement of the building and therefore to prevent the collapse of high-rise buildings in seismic regions. Base isolation technique was developed as an attempt to reduce the effects on buildings and their structural elements during seismic events, and is becoming one of the most effective methods for a wide range of problems of structures under the seismic action. In recent decades, based isolation has become one of the most accepted techniques for seismic protection of buildings. On the other hand, seismic isolation is widely regarded as an efficient method for problematic structures, which are characterized by specific seismic requirements. Seismic Isolation is also used in the rehabilitation of existing buildings and strengthening of weak structures. This paper focuses on the impact that base isolation and above ground isolation, systems have on the seismic response of the buildings.