Basis for Acceleration-Based Conceptual Design of Low-Height Base-Isolated Systems

The dynamic response of a series of base-isolated systems subjected to ground motions that were recorded in firm soils located inshore of the Mexican Pacific was estimated in order to evaluate the influence of the structural properties of these systems in their floor acceleration demands. While the super-structures were assumed to remain elastic, the energy dissipation capacity of the base-isolation systems was represented through a viscous damping model, and the different damping levels in the super-structures and isolation systems were taken into account through a non-classical damping approach. After identifying in general terms the structural properties of the systems that are able to better control their floor acceleration demands, an equivalent singledegree-of-freedom system that can be used within an acceleration-based format to conceive base-isolation systems, is discussed.