The base isolation systems are among the passive control devices that have been used over the last three decades to limit the seismic-induced response of structures. In this regard, the Uniform Building Code provisions (UBC) has incorporated a special section for the seismic design of base isolated structures since its 1991 edition. Due to the importance of the behavior of these structures unde...

A ‘‘smart’’ base isolation strategy is proposed and shown to effectively protect structures against extreme earthquakes without sacrificing performance during the more frequent, moderate seismic events. The proposed smart base isolation system is composed of conventional low-damping elastomeric bearings and ‘‘smart’’ controllable ~semiactive! dampers, such as magnetorheological fluid dampers. T...

The first phase of the seismically excited base-isolated benchmark building was received well by the structural control community, culminating in the March 2006 journal special issue. The special issue contained contributions from over dozen participants world-wide. While the focus of the Phase I effort was on linear isolation systems, Phase II attempts to galvanize research efforts on control ...

Base isolation techniques have emerged as the most effective seismic damage mitigation strategies. Several types of aseismic devices for base been invented, studied, and used. Out several systems, sliding systems are popular due to their operational simplicity ease manufacturing. This article discusses historical development passive such pure friction pendulum isolators with other surface geome...

A number of passive structural vibration reduction technologies (earthquake protective systems) have already been used in structural engineering practice (e.g., base isolation systems and to a lesser extent, fluid dampers). The next frontier of implementing structural control technologies in practice is expected to be the semi-active type. These devices offer the advantages of an active control...