Three-dimensional simulation of earthquake-induced pounding of seismically isolated buildings

This paper presents a novel methodology for the efficient simulation of earthquake-induced pounding of seismically isolated buildings in three dimensions. The proposed methodology emphasises on the innovative impact model that takes into account the geometry at the vicinity of an impact, in order to properly calculate the impact forces arising, as well as the arbitrary location of the acting point of these forces, which depends on the deformed position of the colliding structures during an earthquake. A representative example of a three-story seismically isolated building, subjected to a strong seismic excitation is presented in order to demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed method and some of the effects of pounding on the three-dimensional dynamic response of the seismically isolated building. Moreover, the influence of certain parameters, associated with the three-dimensional modelling of the seismically isolated building, on the overall dynamic response during pounding is examined.