Shaking table model test of a mega-frame with a vibration control substructure

A mega-frame with a vibration control substructure (MFVCS) is a tuned mass damper system that converts substructures into a tuned mass. In this study, a kind of MFVCS using lead-rubber bearings (LRBs) to connect the vibration control substructure to the mega-frame was proposed. To investigate the damping effect of this MFVCS, a series of shaking table tests were conducted, and the seismic responses of the MFVCS were compared with those of the traditional mega-frame structure (TMFS). The results show that the seismic responses of the MFVCS are clearly smaller than those of the TMFS; additionally, the proposed MFVCS can provide a sufficient damping effect under different ground motions. Finite element (FE) models of the TMFS and MFVCS were established and validated by experimental results. Finally, the simulation results adopting different LRB models (equivalent linear and nonlinear elements) were compared, and the results indicate that simulation results can be obtained with greater accuracy from the FE model with a nonlinear LRB model than that with a linear LRB model.