Parametric analysis of passive damping in base isolation
This study examines the sensitivity of structural response statistics to the characteristics of both the ground motion and the passive damping components for seismic isolation systems. Conclusions regarding appropriate levels of passive damping to protect an isolated building from ground motions representative of both near-field and far-field motions are based on time domain analysis of a large proto-typical seismically isolated building structure, as described in the Benchmark Problem statement (Narasimhan et al. 2003). Results indicate that there are ranges of passive damping for linear isolation systems for which super-structure responses such as floor accelerations and inter-storv drifts are minimized and in some cases, these minima are within code requirements.