Α mass-reduction design concept for seismic hazard mitigation

A mass reduction concept for seismic hazard mitigation is investigated herein. The proposed method is implemented through floating slabs, ie, slabs that have been seismically isolated from the skeleton of the structure. The investigation is based on time history analyses of MDOF models under scaled strong-motion seismic records complying with an EC8 spectrum. The purpose of these slabs is twofold; for selected short isolation periods, they act as a mass-damping system for the overall response of the structure, employing significantly more mass than traditional TMDs, while for longer isolation periods they provide seismic protection on their contents while effectively reducing the seismic mass of the structure. In the latter case, it is found that the response of the skeleton can be evaluated accurately from a corresponding reduced-mass model. The proposed design method does not necessarily aim at replacing existing seismic design approaches; it rather provides design versatility in the hands of the practicing engineers.