A Semi-Active Hybrid Isolation System for Buildings Subject to Near-Field Earthquakes

Recently, a resetting or switching semi-active stiffness damper (RSASD or SSASD) has been shown to be effective in reducing the structural response due to dynamic loads. In this paper, a semi-active hybrid isolation system, consisting of rubber-bearing isolators and resetting or switching semi-active stiffness dampers is proposed. The performance of such a semi-active hybrid isolation system is studied extensively for the response control of buildings subject to near-field earthquakes. Numerical results clearly demonstrate that the resetting semi-active stiffness damper is capable of protecting the integrity of base-isolated structures during near-field earthquakes.