Distribution of strong input energy in base-isolated structures with complex nonlinearity: a parametric assessment

PurposeOver the past few decades, several base isolation systems have been developed to enhance the performance of structures under extreme earthquake shaking intensities. Recently, to achieve high energy dissipation capabilities, a new generation of multi-stage friction pendulum (FP) bearings known as the “Quintuple Friction Pendulum (QFP)” was introduced in the literature. With the help of its five effective pendula and nine operational regimes, this bearing's major benefits stem from its ability to accomplish complicated multi-stage adaptive behavior with smoothed loading and unloading when subjected to lateral forces.Design/methodology/approachWithin the assessment context, five finite element models of reinforced concrete frames supported on QFP isolators with different properties will be developed in OpenSees. Thereafter, a set of 60 earthquakes will be analyzed using the nonlinear time history analysis approach, and the impact of each ground motion record's properties will be evaluated.FindingsOverall, the study's findings have demonstrated that the characteristics of the isolator, combined with the type of earthquake being applied, have a substantial impact on the isolator's behavior.Originality/valueCurrently, no studies have examined the energy distribution of structural systems equipped with this type of isolation system while considering the influence of earthquake characteristics. Thus, this study is intended to extend the findings available in the literature by discussing and illustrating the distribution of strong ground motions input energy into highly nonlinear base-isolated systems that account for the bearing and superstructural materials' nonlinearity, geometric nonlinearity and leakage-prevented viscous damping nonlinearity. Besides, it investigates the influence of various earthquake characteristics on the energy dissipation of such buildings.