Advanced Multi-Body Modelling of DCCSS Isolators: Geometrical Compatibility and Kinematics

The effectiveness of Double Concave Curved Surface Sliders (DCCSS), which initially spread under the name Friction Pendulum (DFP) isolators, was already widely proven by numerous experimental campaigns carried out worldwide. However, many aspects concerning their dynamical behavior still need to be clarified and some details require improvement optimization. In particular, due boundary geometrical conditions, sliding along coupled surfaces may not compliant, where this adjective is adopted indicate an even distribution stresses contact. On contrary, during earthquake, fulfillment compatibility between constitutive bodies naturally gives rise a very peculiar dynamic behavior, composed continuous alternation sticking slipping phases. Such yields temporary cyclic change topology. Since elements can modelled as rigid bodies, both approaches, namely Compliant Sliding Stick-Slip, numerically means techniques typically for multi-body mechanical systems. With objective contributing understanding further technology, topology-changing model developed simulate DCCSS. present work, attention focused on regarding kinematics, while complete dynamics presented in another work. sake comparison, kinematic equations are applied only proposed Stick-Slip approach, but also currently accepted approach. main findings discussed.