Incremental dynamic analysis of rigid blocks subjected to ground and floor motions and shake table protocol inputs

This paper reports the results of an extensive campaign incremental dynamic analyses (IDA) rigid rocking blocks under various loading histories, including real ground/floor motions and shake table testing protocol histories. Several block geometries are investigated considering size slenderness combinations representative building contents, monumental elements, art objects, components critical facilities, other unanchored elements. The spectral response to different histories is firstly assessed by highlighting characteristics seismic input sets. Dimensionless acceleration- velocity-based parameters considered as intensity measures, rotation normalized angle (i.e., dimensionless amplitude) assumed engineering demand parameter. IDA curves evaluated, characterized in terms of: (a) type history, (b) measure, (c) geometry. New information technical insights presented regarding assessment structural nonstructural systems. subjected protocols found be not always compatible with capacities related motions, often producing non-conservative estimations. discrepancy identified between responses associated inputs significantly affected both geometry measure.