Analytical and Experimental Analysis of Rocking Columns Subject to Seismic Excitation

• Published in: Dynamics of Civil Structures, Volume 2 pp. 75 - 82
• Main Authors: Giles, Ryan Kent, John Kennedy, Thomas
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland River Publishers 2017; Springer International Publishing AG; Springer International Publishing
• Edition: 1
• Series: Conference Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Mechanics Series
• Subjects: 3D metrology; Building construction & materials; Coefficient of restitution; Dynamics & vibration; Impact damping; Meteorology; Rocking columns; Seismic excitation; Impact damping; Rocking columns; 3D metrology; Seismic excitation; Coefficient of restitution
• ISBN: 9783319854786; 3319547763; 9783319547763; 331985478X
• ISSN: 2191-5644; 2191-5652
• DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-54777-0_10

Abstract Structures of ancient Mediterranean cultures that have survived numerous earthquakes over the span of millennia relied on multifaceted rocking columns to dissipate seismic energy. Rocking columns are again emerging as an effective mechanism in modern structural systems; understanding the rocking behavior can provide insight into how to best design this type of system. This study examines the analytical and experimental rocking behavior of a rectangular column. Equations of motion that describe the rocking behavior of the polygonal columns are derived and analytical energy dissipation methods compared. A high-speed 3D motion capture system, providing noncontact measurement of the column motion, is used in a series of experiments on a uniaxial shake table to validate the analytical model. These experiments show variation indicating stochastic behavior during the excitation phase. The damping ratio and coefficient of restitution are calculated from the experimental results. The experimental results and analytical solution are compared.