Three-Dimensional Seismic Isolation Study of Single-Layer Reticulated Domes by Parameter Analysis

Spatial structures, represented by reticulated domes, have developed rapidly in the last several decades due to their reasonable mechanical properties and beautiful structural shape. However, several spatial structure collapses have occurred during the recent frequent earthquakes in China, especially the 2013 Lushan earthquake. These collapses have altered the traditional understanding that the spatial structure has good seismic performance. Real seismic damage cases reveal that a spatial structure in a severe earthquake zone with unreasonable seismic design cannot maintain its functional characteristics; therefore, there is an urgent need for improvements to enhance the seismic performance of spatial structures. This paper proposes a new three-dimensional isolation spring support (TISS). To study the mechanical properties of this support, corresponding experiments were performed, and the constitutive relation of this support was investigated. A simplified finite element model of the new TISS was defined in ABAQUS to conduct a seismic isolation study of single-layer reticulated domes. And then the influence of different parameters on the seismic isolation performance of the TISS was analysed. The parameter analysis results indicated that friction plays an important role in the mechanical properties of the support and thus causes different seismic isolation effects under small earthquakes and severe earthquakes. At the same time, because of the design concept of the support, a non-linear relation exists between the seismic isolation effect and stiffness such that under severe earthquakes. On the other hand, the TISS also has preferable isolation performance on the defective reticulated domes. Therefore, the three-dimensional isolation support presented in this paper has preferable application prospects and potential economic benefits that could be applied extensively in the three-dimensional isolation area of spatial structures. In addition, the numerical analysis procedure based on ABAQUS can be used to accurately analyse the isolation property and to lay the foundation for the practical function of isolation supports and the seismic design of structures.