The long-term operational safety of nuclear power plants is of utmost importance. Seismic isolation has been shown to be effective in reducing the demands on structures in many applications, including nuclear power plants (NPP). Many designs for Generation III+ NPP include a large passive cooling tank as a measure of safety that can be used during power failure. In a large seismic event, the fluid in the tank may be excited, and while the phenomenon of fluid-structure interaction (FSI) has also been studied in the context of base isolated liquid storage tanks, the effect on seismically isolated NPP has not yet been explored. This thesis presents a two-part study on a base isolated NPP with friction pendulum bearings. The first part of the study compares the usage of a linear fluid model to a nonlinear fluid model in determining tank and structural demand parameters. The linear fluid model was found to represent the nonlinear fluid model well for preliminary analysis apart from peak sloshing height, which it consistently underestimated. The second part of the study uses a linear fluid model, an empty tank model and a rigid fluid model to investigate the influence of FSI on the structural response of an isolated NPP compared to a fixed base NPP. In general, the response of a fixed base NPP considering FSI using a linear fluid model can typically be bound by the results assuming an empty tank and assuming a full tank with rigid fluid mass. However, this does not hold for the base isolated NPP, as the peak isolation displacement for an NPP with a linear fluid model at design depth is greater than the peak isolation displacement than the same NPP with an empty tank and with a rigid fluid model. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

We extend the application of the substructure synthesis method to more complex structures, and establish a design methodology for base isolation and active control in a distributed model of a building under seismic excitation. Our objective is to show that passive and active control complement each other in such an advantageous manner for the case at hand, that simple devices for both types of control are sufficient to achieve excellent response characteristics with very low control forces. The Rayleigh-Ritz based substructure synthesis method proved to be highly successful in analyzing a structure more complex than the ones previously analyzed with it. Comparing the responses of the hybridly controlled building and the conventional fixed building under El Centro excitation, we conclude that the stresses are reduced by 99.6 %, the base displacement is reduced by 91.7 % and the required control force to achieve this is 1.1 % of the building weight. / Ph. D.

No description available.

2nd International Conference on Advances in Experimental Structural Engineering, Tongji Univ., Shanghai, China, December 4-6, 2007

This thesis focuses on the experimental studies conducted on the development of low-cost seismic base isolation pads using scrap automobile tires. Seismic base isolation is a well-defined building protection system against earthquakes, on which numerous studies have been conducted. The majority of the previous studies focus on the performance improvement of the base isolation systems. However, this study aims at cost and weight reduction of seismic base isolation pads by recycling otherwise useless material: scrap tires. Elastomer-based isolators have been heavily studied and used for the last 25 years. Steel or fiber reinforcement inside the elastomer isolators provides high vertical stiffness, whereas rubber segments between reinforcement layers provide low horizontal stiffness for the seismic base isolation. Since 1960&rsquo / s, automobile tires have been produced by means of vulcanizing rubber with steel mesh in different forms which have a similar effect as the steel plates or fibers inside the conventional elastomer-based isolators. Therefore, rectangular shaped layers cut from tread sections of used tires and then piled on top of each other can function as an elastomeric bearing. Since the tires are being designed for friction, load transfer between scrap tire layers would be large enough to keep all layers intact. A minimal slip generated between the piled layers at high strain rates may even help to dissipate some extra energy. Axial compression, dynamic free vibration, static shear and shaking table tests have been conducted on Scrap Tire Pads (STP) prepared by using different tire brands for different number of layers and orientations. The results have shown that the average shear modulus of STPs change between 0.9MPa and 1.85MPa. At the end of the dynamic tests it has been noticed that the lateral stiffness of STPs can be simply adjusted by changing the number of tread layers placed on top of each other. The amount of wire mesh inside the tire tread layers is relatively low compared to the steel plates in regular elastomeric pads / consequently, axial load capacity of STPs has been found to be around 8.0MPa. Static large deformation shear experiments have been performed to obtain the horizontal stiffness and shear modulus values at high strains and the results are tabulated in the manuscript. Steel and rubber layers are produced separately and just put on top of each other without any adhesive to form the &frac14 / scaled versions of STPs which were used to isolate a &frac14 / scaled masonry house on the shaking table available in METU Structural Laboratory. The experiment showed that non-vulcanized rubber-steel layers put on top of each other can also be used to isolate structures. In conclusion, STPs may be used as a low-cost alternative to conventional elastomer-based pads for seismic isolation of massive structures (e.g. stone wall rural masonry) or for temperature induced deformation compensation of rural bridges. STP usage is demonstrated using three hypothetical design examples in the manuscript.

Current design codes generally use an equivalent linear approach for preliminary design of a seismic isolation system. The equivalent linear approach is based on effective parameters, rather than physical parameters of the system, and may not accurately account for the nonlinearity of the isolation system. The second chapter evaluates an alternative normalized strength characterization against the equivalent linear characterization. Following considerations for evaluation are included: (1) ability to effectively account for variations in ground motion intensity, (2) ability to effectively describe the energy dissipation capacity of the isolation system, and (3) conducive to developing design equations that can be implemented within a code framework. Although current code guidelines specify different seismic performance objectives for fixed-base and isolated buildings, the future of performance-based design will allow user-selected performance objectives, motivating the need for a consistent performance comparison of the two systems. Based on response history analysis to a suite of motions, constant ductility spectra are generated for fixed-base and isolated buildings in chapter three. Both superstructure force (base shear) and deformation demands in base-isolated buildings are lower than in fixed-base buildings responding with identical deformation ductility. To compare the relative performance of many systems or to predict the best system to achieve a given performance objective, a response index is developed and used for rapid prototyping of response as a function of system characteristics. When evaluated for a life safety performance objective, the superstructure design base shear of an isolated building is competitive with that of a fixed-base building with identical ductility, and the isolated building generally has improved response. Isolated buildings can meet a moderate ductility immediate-occupancy objective at low design strengths whereas comparable ductility fixed-base buildings fail to meet the objective. In chapter four and five, the life cycle performance of code-designed conventional and base-isolated steel frame buildings is evaluated using loss estimation methodologies. The results of hazard and structural response analysis for three-story moment resisting frame buildings are presented in this paper. Three-dimensional models for both buildings are created and seismic response is assessed for three scenario earthquakes. The response history analysis results indicate that the performance of the isolated building is superior to the conventional building in the design event. However, for the Maximum Considered Earthquake, the presence of outliers in the response data reduces confidence that the isolated building provides superior performance to its conventional counterpart. The outliers observed in the response of the isolated building are disconcerting and need careful evaluation in future studies.

Cette thèse est motivée par diverses questions qui se posent quant à l’utilisation de l’isolation sismique dans l’industrie nucléaire. À la différence de la grande majorité des travaux antérieurs sur l’isolation sismique en générale et l’isolation mixte en particulier, qui portent principalement leur intérêt sur la réponse de la structure isolée (déplacements relatifs, accélérations maximales des étages, etc.), une grande partie de ce travail est consacrée au comportement des équipements, par le biais de l’étude des spectres de plancher. L’objectif principal est de diminuer la déformation des isolateurs sans amplification de la réponse des modes supérieurs, qui peut apparaître sous certaines conditions et qui peut être une source de sollicitation des équipements. Pour ce faire, des alternatives aux appuis parasismiques couramment utilisés sont explorées. Il s’agit des combinaisons d’un appui à faible amortissement avec un élément de Maxwell (isolateur de relaxation) ou avec un amortisseur hydraulique semi-actif (système d’isolation mixte). L’élément de Maxwell se comportant comme un amortisseur à basse fréquence et un ressort de faible rigidité à haute fréquence permet de satisfaire l’objectif souhaité. En ce qui concerne les systèmes d’isolation mixtes, trois techniques de contrôle semi-actif sont proposées. Afin d’améliorer la performance du contrôle, une attention particulière a été donné à la prise en compte de l’excitation sismique et des caractéristiques de l’amortisseur lors de la conception du contrôleur est focalisée. Les analyses numériques confirment l'efficacité de ces systèmes. En vue de l’utilisation de ces méthodes pour de structures réelles, certains aspects pratiques comme, par exemple, l’observation du système, les effets de la réduction du modèle utilisé par le contrôleur ou du temps de retard sur la performance du contrôle, ainsi que le contrôle d’un ensemble de plusieurs dispositifs semi-actifs redondant, sont, également, abordés. / This thesis is motivated by various questions that arise regarding the use of base isolation in the nuclear industry. Unlike the majority of previous work on base isolation in general and mixed isolation in particular, which focus mainly on the response of the isolated structure (interstorey drifts, maximum accelerations of floors, etc.), this work focuses on the behavior of equipment, through the study of floor response spectra. The main objective is to reduce the deformation of the isolators without amplification of the response of the higher modes, which may appear under certain conditions and which can be a source of equipment solicitation. To this end, alternatives to the commonly used base isolators are explored. These are combinations of a low damping rubber bearing with a Maxwell element (relaxation isolator) or a semi-active hydraulic damper (mixed base isolation system).Maxwell element behaves like a damper in low frequency and as a low stiffness spring in high frequency. Hence it meets the above objectives. . Regarding isolation systems, three semi-active control techniques are proposed. In order to improve the performance of the control, the seismic excitation and the characteristics of the damper are taken into account in the design of the controller. Numerical analyzes confirm the effectiveness of these systems. Having in mind implementation of these methods to real structures, some practical aspects such as, observation of the system, effects of model reduction, considered by the controller, or time delay on the control performance, as well as the control of a set of redundant semi-active devices, are also studied.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第17883号 / 工博第3792号 / 新制||工||1580(附属図書館) / 30703 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科建築学専攻 / (主査)教授 中島 正愛, 教授 川瀬 博, 教授 竹脇 出 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

No description available.

During strong ground motions, structures equipped with base isolation systems have been shown to have their seismic demand significantly reduced, mitigating adverse effects such as damage and loss of life. More recently, the fiber-reinforced elastomeric isolator (FREI) has been investigated as a relatively new type of isolator for the base isolation of structures. Constructed from alternating layers of elastomer and carbon-fiber cloth, FREI can be produced in large pads that can be cut to any desired size and shape when required. In bridges, FREI can to be used in an unbonded application (U-FREI) by placing them between the bridge deck and the piers. Experimental and numerical investigations have shown U-FREI as a viable option for the isolation of bridges. However, experimental studies have been limited to room temperature testing. In North America, climates vary drastically across the continent. Northern climates, such as those existent in Canada, are capable of reaching extremely low temperatures. Thus, base isolated bridges in these regions require isolation systems that perform adequately at cold temperatures. The studies presented in this dissertation have been completed in order to investigate the effects that low temperatures have on U-FREI used in bridge structures. An experimental program was conducted that evaluated the behaviour of U-FREI. It was found that U-FREI performed adequately under lateral displacements expected during a seismic event, and provided acceptable response under vertical and rotational testing that is typical of normal bridge operation. Using these results, a numerical model for U-FREI was then updated to account for the effects of low temperature. The model was combined with a bridge model to evaluate the seismic response of a bridge structure isolated with U-FREI subjected to low temperatures. A substantial reduction in seismic demand was achieved, even under the most severe conditions tested. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)