Seismic Base Isolation Dynamics

Civil Engineering

How It Works

Seismic base isolation protects buildings during earthquakes by introducing flexible elastomeric bearings between the substructure and the foundation. Decoupling the superstructure from high-frequency earthquake vibrations lengthens the fundamental natural vibration period beyond the dominant seismic frequency range. As a result, earthquake acceleration input is attenuated dramatically, preserving structural integrity.

Governing Equation
T_n = 2π · √(m / k_iso)  |  m · ẍ + c · ẋ + k · x = -m · ẍ_g(t)