Introduction of the Structural Calculation Method

for Seismically-Isolated Building in Japan,

with a Calculation Example by ELM.
by the Committee of Foreign Affairs, JSSI, March, 2020

Abstract
The seismic isolation system is a structurally applicable construction method for newly
constructed buildings and for existing buildings through retrofitting. Many seismically isolated
buildings have sprung up in Japan, totaling approximately 9,000 at present. Condominiums
account for 40% of that, and retrofitting accounts for approximately 4 %.
Notification No. 2009, “Calculation Method for Seismically Isolated Buildings” 1) was issued in
2000 with "Equivalent linearized method". "Time history response analysis method" was common
before 2000, and popular now. The number of buildings by equivalent linearized method is
gradually increasing, and is 10% of all these buildings. This paper shows the calculation procedure
by equivalent linearized method. Important matters for calculation are explained with a flow-chart,
while showing an example of a building with seismic isolation.

Abbreviation
SI: Seismically Isolated, Seismic Isolation
SE: Structural Engineer
ELM: Equivalent Linearized Method
THAM: Time History response Analysis Method
LRB: Laminated Rubber Bearing
SLD: SLiDer with elastomer
SD: Steel Damper
MLIT: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and tourism

Contents
1 Introduction
2 Calculation procedure
2.1 Applicability of ELM
2.2 Structural calculation procedure for SI buildings
2.3 Synopsis of ELM
2.4 Other important matters for SI buildings
3 Example of a seven-story RC building
3.1 Building model
3.2 Selection of devices for SI
3.3 Arrangement of devices in SI layer
3.3.1 Eccentricity ratio of SI layer
3.3.2 Total yield strength
3.3.3 Period of the isolation system considering only the stiffness of LRBs
3.4 Setting of acceleration spectrum on the surface of the site
3.5 Calculation of response displacement and shear-force of the SI layer
3.6 Calculation of shear-force of superstructure and substructure
3.6.1 SI layer
3.6.2 Superstructure
3.6.3 Story drift of super-structure and vertical load changes on isolator devices
3.6.4 Substructure
3.7 Evaluation of response values of SI layer from wind load
3.8 Confirmation of safety of devices for vertical load
3.9 Securing safety of connections of devices to structures
3.10 Confirmation of satisfaction of stipulations on SI system
4 Reference

1
1 Introduction
In Japan, the most recent building code provisions took effect in 2000. Procedures and practices
for conducting SI buildings are introduced.
Generally, a two-stage code for calculation method was introduced in the Building Standard
Law of Japan as shown in Table 1. The two stages are usually defined as damage limitation (Level
1, approximately a 50-year return period) and life-safety limitation (Level 2, approximately a
500-year return period). In the damage-limitation stage, the structural safety performance must be
preserved in the considered earthquake. In the life safety-limitation stage, the building should not
collapse, in order to assure the safety of human lives. The performance target can be classified into
three parts: superstructure, SI layer and substructure, as shown in Table 1.
In the Japanese code, a 5% damping spectral-acceleration at bed-rock site is defined. The site
spectrum is obtained by considering the soil amplification factor, which is dependent on the soil
profile. THAM is the most popular method in Japan, while ELM can only be used in stipulated
conditions which are building height of less than sixty meters, on soil condition where there is no
possibility of liquefaction and by SI system on the base.
Subsequently, a typical 7-story reinforced concrete building, isolated with a combination of
LRBs, SLDs, and SDs, is calculated to demonstrate the practice.

Table 1 Performance target of SI buildings2)

Frequency of External Rarely occurring event Extremely rarely occurring event
Disturbance
horizontal elastic elastic limited
strength
Superstructure
story drift angle <1/500 <1/300
<150-250%
isolator <100-150% tensile stress<1N/mm2
SI layer within stable stress
and deformation relation
damper standard deformation design limit deformation
horizontal elastic elastic
Substructure strength
story drift angle 1/1000 1/500
  Shear strain of LRB

2
2 Calculation procedure
2.1 Applicability of ELM
In Figure 1 is shown the choice of the calculation route following the Japanese code. The ELM is
used at limited conditions shown in Table 2 for buildings that are less than 60m high, that have SI
layer located above the ground, and that have first or second class ground classification, etc.
The THAM is possible for all buildings as follows. Following Table 2, the applicability of the
ELM is checked over as follows (Section2.2, 2.3).

Structural calculation for SI buildings

More than 60m

Building height

Less than 60m Second class with possibility of liquefaction,

or third class
Ground classification

First class and second class ground,

without possibility of liquefaction
Within building
Location of SI layer

Above the ground, or on the top

of the basement
Calculation Methods

E LM THAM

Confirmation by a building official Approval by MLIT

Figure 1 Choice of the calculation route

Table 2 Applicability of the ELM

Limitation on ground class Ⅰ, Ⅱ

Maximum height of superstructure 60m
Location of devices Base only
Maximum mass-stiffness center eccentricity 3%
Tension in isolator Not allowed
Yield strength > 0.03W
Period range of Te T2 > 2.5s

3
2.2 Structural calculation procedure for SI buildings
Generally, the ELM can be illustrated as follows. The base shear force is obtained from the spectral
acceleration and weight as shown in Equation (1).
M Fh (h, Te ) Sa (Te )
=
Ke
 r = 1.1 (1)
 r' =   r
Qs = Ke
where,
: design displacement of the isolation system
M: total weight of the building
Fh(h,Te): response reduction factor;
h: effective damping
Sa(Te)(g): site response acceleration considering site soil conditions
Ke: effective stiffness of the isolation system
r': the maximum design displacement used to determine the clearance;
: coefficient related to the eccentricity of the isolation system;
: safety factor related to variation of properties with temperature, ageing or products
tolerances discrepancy introduced in the Japanese code;
Qs: shear force in the base of the superstructure;

In general, the five percent-damped spectral acceleration, Sa(T), is given by Equation (2).
S a (T ) = Z Gs (T ) S 0 (T ) (2)
where:
Z: the seismic hazard zone factor.
Gs(T): a soil amplification factor dependent on the soil profile.
S0(T): the design spectral acceleration at engineering bedrock (Vs>400m/s) defined in Equation
(3) which is shown in Figure 1 for Level 2 input.

3.2 + 30 T T  0.16

S 0 (m / s ) =  8.0
2
0.16  T  0.64 (3)
 5.12 / T 0.64  T


The site amplification coefficient Gs(T) is defined in Figure 3.2 based on different site classes.
However, in the engineering practice, the Gs(T) is usually calculated iteratively based on the
investigated Vs or N values and types for the soil profile rather than directly using the coefficients
defined in the code. The zone coefficient Z is divided into four levels as 1.0, 0.9, 0.8 and
0.7(Okinawa only) within Japan.
1.2
Spectral acceleration (m/s )
2

1.0
0.8
0.6
5.12/T
0.4
0.2
0.0
0.16 0.64 Period (s) T (s)
Figure 1 Design spectral acceleration at the engineering bedrock (Vs>400m/s)

4
The response reduction factor Fh (h,Te) is defined in Equation (4) by using the effective viscous
damping of a fluid damper, hv, and a hysteretic damper hd which is decreased to 80 percent of the
effective damping for a combined viscous-hysteretic system.

1.5
Fh = ; Fh  0.4 (4)
1 + 10 (hv + 0.8hd )

To use ELM, calculation model must appropriately evaluate one mass for superstructure and
characteristics of isolation devices at supposed response range.
Modeling of isolation devices must appropriately evaluate stiffness and damping characteristics
based on the test data by manufacturer.
The convergence procedure of the ELM is shown in Figure 2. The procedure is summarized as
follows:
•Assume a displacement of the isolation system, DD0 ().
•Calculate the effective stiffness, Ke, and effective damping, e(h), of the isolation system,
assuming a bi-linear model
for the isolation system.
•Calculate the equivalent period, Te, of the isolation system.
•Calculate the corresponding response reduction factor, Fh(h,T e), and the spectral acceleration,
Sa(Te).
•Calculate a new isolation system displacement, DD(), using Equation (1).
•Repeat the above steps until DD() converges.

Q
K2nd K1st
K3rd

Hysteresis loop
QISO 1st

2nd
3rd
DD DD0 D

Figure 2 Illustration of the convergence procedure for the ELM.

2.3 Synopsis of ELM

Step by step procedure to use ELM is summarized as follows.
1. Assumption for sections of frame members of the building;
The item is done by SE, using the method that are similar to conventional buildings.
2. Selection of devices for SI;
Devices for SI are selected from those approved by MLIT, and their performance is checked to
determine, which are allowable compressive capacity, horizontal stiffness, ultimate deformation
capacity, etc.
3. Arrangement of devices in SI layer;
The item is the arrangement of devices, which must have an eccentricity-ratio in SI layer of 3%
or less.
4. Setting of acceleration spectrum on the surface of the site;
The setting of acceleration spectrum on the surface of the site is necessary for achieving
displacement and shear force of SI layer. Therefore, soil property conditions on the site should be
checked. The soil amplification factor Gs(T) is usually calculated iteratively based on the
investigated Vs or N values and types for the soil profile

5
5. Calculation of response displacement and shear-force of the SI layer;
The item is calculation of response displacement and shear-force of the SI layer on the above
spectrum with damping factor by using the design limit deformation based on the design limit
period.
6. Calculation of shear-force of superstructure and substructure;
The above shear-force is distributed to each story of the superstructure by using the distribution
rule.
7. Evaluation of response values of SI layer from wind load;
The item is evaluation of response values of SI layer for wind load on the restoring
force-displacement curve of SI layer to confirm safety against extremely rare-occurring strong
winds.
8. Confirmation of safety of devices for vertical load;
The eighth item is confirmation of safety of devices against vertical load during earthquakes.
Stress must be below allowable stress against vertical loads including up and down acceleration
of 30% of a building own-weight. No minus stress is allowable for bearings.
9. Securing safety of connections of devices to structures;
Securing of safety of connection of devices to structures, such as footings, capitals, girders and
columns is important to make use of the performance of devices.
10. Confirmation of satisfaction of stipulations on SI system;
Finally, SI system must satisfy stipulations, which are as follows:
•Clearance (space, moat gap) is required to secure displacement, which includes response value
and certain safety-margin value, as below.
No passerby : 10 cm
General : 20 cm
Passerby : 80 cm
•Movement of SI building must be maintained in heavy snow falls.
•Exchange of devices or checking devices must be possible.
•A notice-board or an indicator for “ this building is seismically isolated” is required.

2.4 Other important matters for SI buildings

In addition to the above, the following items are important matters for SI buildings.
•Architectural Planning;
(a) Planning of Isolation Layer
Architectural details in, or in the vicinity of the isolation layer must be planned so as not to cause
injury to humans or damage architectural members, considering that the isolation layer deforms
significantly during earthquakes.
(b) Fire Resistive Covering and Performance of Isolators
The isolators must support superstructure without losing supporting capacity of vertical loads
subjected to fires expected to happen in, or in the vicinity of the isolation layer.
Fire resistive covering must protect isolators until fire ends. It must follow the expected
deformation of isolators without covering materials falling off.
•Planning of Equipment System;
Equipment in the vicinity of the isolation layer must be planned in order for their functions to be
maintained during earthquakes, considering large displacement at the isolation layer.
•Construction;
SE must inform the constructor of design-demand requirements at construction stage. Also,
construction supervisor must supervise the suggested construction planning and the undertaken
construction, to provide expected performance as a SI building.
•Maintenance;
Building owner must properly maintain own building after completion. SE must draw up
maintenance plans and inform the owner so that the required SI performance is maintained
during the building’s lifetime.

6
3 Example of a seven-story RC building
Synopsis of ELM described in section 2.3 will be used to calculate the seven-story building.

3.1 Building model

The outline of the building is shown below. The elevation,
span-direction and longitudinal-direction draws are shown in
Figure 3.1. Typical plan is shown in Figure 3.2.

Principal use Condominium

Total floor area 1,470m2
Maximum eaves height 22.0m
Classification of
Reinforced concrete structure
structure
Structural type X(lateral) direction : Moment frames
Y(longitudinal) direction : Moment frames
with bearing walls
Ground classification Second class (Tg=0.34s)
Foundation Direct
8
320

320

7
300

300

6
300

300

5
300

300

4
300

300

3
300

300

2
380

380

500 500 700 700 700

Y1 Y2 X1 X2 X3 X4

Figure 3.1 The elevation, span-direction and longitudinal-direction draws.

Y2

Y1

X1 X4

Figure 3.2 Typical plan of the building.

7
The story mass and horizontal stiffness of both X, Y direction of the building are summarized in
Table 3.1. The fundamental periods of the fixed-base model are Tx = 0.682s and Ty = 0.258s.
The vertical loads of each column on isolation devices are summarized in Table 3.2.

Table 3.1 Story mass and the horizontal stiffness of the building.

Horizontal stiffness
(kN/mm)
Weight X Y
Height(m)
(kN)
7 3.20 2,854 325 1,144
6 3.00 3,328 449 2,168
5 3.00 3,293 488 2,845
4 3.00 3,331 560 3,449
3 3.00 3,379 635 4,191
2 3.00 3,390 720 5,363
1 3.80 4,220 778 10,690
SI 1.50 4,461
Total 28,256

Table 3.2 Vertical loads on isolation devices (kN)

X1 X2 X3 X4
Y2 4,363 5,161 4,659 2,975
Y1 2,539 3,767 3,728 2,504

3.2 Selection of devices for SI

Figure 3.4 shows the layout of isolation devices for the building. A combination of LRBs (RB80,
RB80S), SLDs (SC60, SC70) and SDs are selected to give a demonstration of the calculation
procedure. The sketch of the used isolation devices is shown in Figure 3.3.
Steel Damper Rod

Figure 3.3 Sketch of the isolation devices

(from left: LRB, SLD, SD).

The characteristics of each device are shown in Table 3.3. The design displacement limit, δs, at the
isolation interface is determined as the minimum value of the design displacement limit md for all
components of the isolation system. The design displacement limit md for each device is obtained
by multiplying the safety factor β by the ultimate deformation u for each device. The value of the
safety factor β is based on empirical knowledge resulting from experimental data obtained in

8
Japan. A typical example of determining md for a LRB and SLD is shown in Figure 3.4. This
Figure shows that the bearing must be designed within the limits of vertical stress, horizontal
displacement, and limitation by buckling of bearing.
In Figure 3.4, ultimate deformation u is derived from 1/3 of ultimate vertical design strength Fc.
For typical devices, safety factors are given as follows:

 =0.8, for elastomeric isolator;

=0.9, for sliding bearing and rotating ball bearing;
=1.0, for damper and restorer.

Table 3.3 Characteristics of isolation devices

Name of device LRB3) SLD SD
Type name RB80S RB80 SC60 SC70 SD-U
2
G of rubber N/mm 0.39 0.39 0.78 0.78
Diameter mm 800 800 600 700 45
Rubber Thickness mm 6 6 5 5
Number of sheet of rubber 33 30 4 4
Total thickness of rubber mm 198 180 20 20
S1 31.7 31.7 29 33.5
S2 4.0 4.4 30 35
Unloading stiffness K1 kN/mm 0.99 1.09 11 15 7.6
Post yielding stiffness K2 kN/mm 0.99 1.09 0 0 0.128
Friction Factor - - 0.011 0.011 -
Yield load Qy kN - - 41.2 54.0 184
Vertical Stiffness kN/mm 2,480 2,730 10,600 14,400 -
Tensile Strength kN 501 501 0 0 -
Allowable Stress N/mm2 10 10 17 17
Allowable Load kN 3,748 4,910 0
Ultimate compressive
N/mm2 45 49 57 57 -
strength cr
Fc N/mm2 41 41 51 51
ultimate deformation u m 0.679 0.617 0.55 0.55 0.65
safety factor  0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 1.0
design displacement limit
m 0.543 0.494 0.495 0.495 0.65
md

9
   Ultimate compressive strength
Ultimate compressive strength Vertical design strength
≦ 0.9 cr
cr Vertical design strength cr
0.9 cr ≦ 0.9 cr
Fc
Fc

Design limit Design limit

Fc /3
Fc /3


m d u 
m d u
Displacement Displacement
LRB SLD

Figure 3.4 Design displacement limits for a LRB and SLD.

10
3.3 Arrangement of devices in SI layer
To make the gravity center and stiffness center close, the bearings are located under every column,
and the total yield force of the dampers is set to 3.9 % of the weight of the superstructure to give
good performance. The arrangement of isolation devices in SI layer is shown in Figure 3.5.
Dimensions and characteristics of the isolation devices are shown in Table 3.3. The characteristics
of the building are summarized in Table 3.4. These devices were selected to support the vertical
stress caused by the superstructure almost at the allowable pressure of each device.

12000

10000 RB80 SC70 SC70 RB80S

SD SD

8000

6000
Y（mm）

4000
SD SD
2000

0 RB80S SC60 SC60 RB80S

-4000 0 4000 8000 12000 16000 20000 24000

-2000
X （mm)

Figure 3.5 Arrangement of isolation devices in SI layer

Table 3.4 Characteristics of the building

Plot plan of devices

M 2922.3 kN·s2/m K1 86,460 kN/m

Qy 926 kN K2 4,572 kN/m

3.3.1 Eccentricity ratio of SI layer

The maximum eccentricity ratio of SI layer under displacement of 500mm is 2.45%, which should
be less than 3%. In Table 3.5, eccentricity ratios of SI layer at each displacement are summarized.
The maximum eccentricity ratio = 2.45%<3% …………OK

Table 3.5 Eccentricity ratio of SI layer at each displacement

δ(mm) 50 100 200 300 400 500

Shear strain  (%) 25 51 101 152 202 253
Eccentricity X(mm) -35 14 71 104 126 141
Y(mm) 146 37 -91 -166 -216 -252
Eccentricity ratio X(%) 1.68 0.40 0.94 1.67 2.13 2.45
Y(%) 0.40 0.15 0.73 1.04 1.24 1.38

11
3.3.2 Total yield strength
The total yield strength of SI layer should be larger than 3% of the total weight upon the SI layer.
If we assume each footing has a weight of 50kN, the check procedure is as follows.

Qy=0.011*(5,161+4,659+3,767+3,728)+184*4=926 kN
W=28256+Footing weight=28,256+50*8=28,656 kN
Qy/W=926.5/28,656=0.032 > 0.03 …………OK

3.3.3 Period of the isolation system considering only the stiffness of LRBs
Period of the isolation system considering only the stiffness of laminated rubber bearings should
be longer than 2.5 sec.

M 28656 / 9.8
T2 = 2 = 2  3.14  = 5.02 >2.5s …………OK
Kt 4572

3.4 Setting of acceleration spectrum on the surface of the site

The acceleration spectrum on the surface of the site can be obtained by Equation (2). The design
spectral acceleration at engineering bedrock (Vs>400m/s) S0(T) defined in Equation (3) which is
shown in Figure 1 for Level 2 input. The site amplification factor Gs is calculated based on the soil
properties above engineering bedrock either by the simplified method according to the soil
classification of first to third, or by the precise method calculated by using the wave propagation
procedure considering the non-linearity of the soil profile.
In Figure 3.6 are shown Site amplification coefficients for the three kind site classes. In this study,
the precise method is used. In Table 3.6 is shown soil profile used in this study. The bottom of the
base is at GL-4.0m. After several convergence calculations, the ground surface acceleration
spectrum was obtained and shown in Figure 3.7.

3.0
2.5
2.0
Gs(T)

1.5
1.0 Site class 1
0.5 Site class 2
Site class 3
0.0
0 1 2 3 4 5
Period (s)
Figure 3.6 Site amplification coefficients for the three kind site classes (in Japan)

12
 Table 3.6 Soil profile used for this study.

Layer Soil property Depth(m) N values VS (m/s)  (t/m3)

1 Clay 0.0 3 150 1.93
2 Clay 5.5 10 210 1.93
3 Clay 8.5 6 210 1.93
4 Sand 11.5 7 320 1.95
5 Sand 15.0 11 360 1.95
6 Sand 18.5 11 360 1.95
7 Sand 21.5 13 360 1.95
8 Sand 24.5 50 360 1.95
9 Clay 26.8 17 360 1.95
10 Sand 28.5 40 270 2.00
Bed Gravel 30.5 60 460 2.00

20.0

18.0
16.0
Resonse acceleration spectrum　(m/s )
2

14.0

12.0
Ground surface by Gs
10.0

8.0
Engineering bedrock
6.0

4.0

2.0

0.0
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0
T(sec)

Figure 3.7 The ground surface acceleration spectrum.

3.5 Calculation of response displacement and shear-force of the SI layer

The SI layer in the ELM method is modeled as a normal bilinear model. The constants used for
the building shown in section 3.1-3.4 are summarized in Table 3.7. Following the convergence
procedure shown in Figure 2, the response displacement of the SI layer is obtained from the
ground surface acceleration spectrum shown in Figure 3.7 and SI characteristics shown in Table
3.7. In Table 3.7, the iteration processes are shown too.

 = m
= = m
r' = r  design displacement limit md
 are safety factors related with temperature dependent stiffness changes and property
dispersions in manufacturing of devices.  is used to check the response displacement to be less
than design displacement limit md and secure the isolation gap.  is used to gain safety for both
super-structure and sub-structure. One may use =  =1.3 defined in the building code or
calculates the   by considering the characteristics changes of the SI layer. As shown in Table 3.8,
the characteristics changes include the changes to Plus side (hardness) and Minus side (softening).
In Table 3.9, the response results by the standard, Plus change and Minus change are shown.

13
 Table 3.7 Iterative calculations to determine design displacement
Constants used in calculations
M 2,922.3 kN·s2/m K1 86,460 kN/m
Qy 926 kN K2 4,572 kN/m
Iterative Calculations Iter 1 Iter 2 Iter 3 Iter 4 Iter 5 Converged
 (m) M Fh (h, Te ) Sa (Te )
0.416 0.412 0.408 0.404 0.400 0.396
Ke
Q y + K 2
Ke (kN/m) 6,468 6,500 6,538 6,572 6,612 6,649


hd 0.179 0.181 0.184 0.185 0.188 0.190

1.5
Fh 0.617 0.613 0.608 0.604 0.600 0.595
1 + 10(hv + 0.8hd )
M
TD (s) 2 4.223 4.213 4.201 4.190 4.177 4.165
Ke

Sa (Te ) Gs 5.12 / T 0.920 0.916 0.912 0.908 0.904 0.900

14
 Table 3.8 Characteristics changes to Plus side (hardness) and Minus side (softening).

Parameters Standard + Changes - Changes

LRB
ΣnK1(kN/m) 4,060 32% 5,359 -18% 3,329
Stiffness K1 Aging (%) 10% 0%
Temperature (%) 7% -3%
Dispersion (%) 15% -15%
SLD
ΣnK1(kN/m) 52,000 57% 81,640 -34% 34,320
ΣQy(kN) 190 15% 219.0 -25% 142.8
Stiffness K1 Aging (%) 20% 0%
Temperature (%) 7% -4%
Dispersion (%) 20% -20%
Vertical load (%) 10% -1０%
Yield load
Qy Aging (%) 0% 0%
Temperature (%) 0% 0%
Dispersion (%) 20% -20%
Vertical load (%) 15% 15%
Repetition (%) -20% -20%
SD
ΣnK1(kN/m) 30,400 15% 34,960 -15% 25,840
ΣnK2(kN/m) 512 0% 512 0% 512
ΣnQy(kN) 736 13% 832 -14% 640
Stiffness K1 Aging (%) 0% 0%
Temperature (%) 0% 0%
Dispersion (%) 15% -15%
Stiffness K2 Aging (%) 0% 0%
Temperature (%) 0% 0%
Dispersion (%) 0% 0%
Yield load
Qy Aging (%) 0% 0%
Temperature (%) 1% -2%
Dispersion (%) 15% -10%
Total
ΣnK1(kN/m) 86,460 +41% 121,959 -27% 63,489
ΣnK2(kN/m) 4,572 +28% 5,871 -17% 3,790
ΣnQy(kN) 926 +13% 1051 -15% 783

15
 Table 3.9 Response results for standard, Plus change and Minus change parameters.

Parameters standard + changes - changes

Unloading stiffness K1 (kN/m) 86,460 121,959 63,489
Post yield stiffness K2 (kN/m) 4,572 5,871 3,841
Yield load Qy (kN) 926 1,051 833
Amplification factor of acceleration Gs 1.230 1.230 1.230
Equivalent viscous damping factor hd 0.152 0.151 0.152
Reduction ratio Fh 0.595 0.598 0.595
Shear-force of SI layer Q (kN) 2,631 2,991 2,363
Standard displacement δ (m) 0.396 0.350 0.440
Response displacement of SI layer δr (m) 0.435 0.386 0.485
Max. horizontal clearance
(m) 0.585
(No passerby, +0.1)
Max. horizontal clearance
(m) 0.685
(General +0.2)
Max. horizontal clearance
(m) 1.285
(Passerby +0.8)
Shear-force of hysteretic dampers Qh (kN) 1,117 1,218
Shear-force of isolators and
Qe (kN)
restorers 1,606 1,878
Seismic force subjected to SI layer Qiso (kN) 2,723 3,096
Coefficient of shear-force of SI layer Cr1 0.095 0.108
Coefficient shear-force of superstructure Cri 0.099 0.112
Safety factor  1.14
Shear force ratio for dampers >=0.03 μ 0.039
Tangent stiffness at standard displacement Kt (kN/m) 4572
Tangent Period Tt>=2.5 Tt (s) 5.023

3.6 Calculation of shear-force of superstructure and substructure

The response results are summarized in Table 3.9. The detailed procedure is as follows.

3.6.1 SI layer

(Qh + Qe )2 + 2 (Qh + Qe )Qv + Qv 2 Ai (Qh + Qv ) + Qe A Q + Qe

Cri =  = i h
Mg Qh + Qv + Qe Mg

Qiso =  (Qh + Qe )2 + 2 (Qh + Qe )Qv + Qv 2 =  (Qh + Qe ) = 3067

The calculated Ai and Cri are summarized in Table 3.10.

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3.6.2 Superstructure
The response shear force is shown in Table 3.10 and Figure 3.8 comparing with the design shear
force.

Table 3.10 Response results of super-structure and design values.

Design
Height Weight Ai Cri Qi O･T･M Cix/
Coef. Qi O･T･M
Cri
m kN kN kN･m Cix kN kN･m
7 3.20 2,854 2.155 0.159 454 1,452 0.240 1.510 685 2,192
6 3.00 3,328 1.728 0.140 866 4,050 0.220 1.570 1,360 6,272
5 3.00 3,293 1.528 0.131 1,243 7,780 0.200 1.524 1,895 11,957
4 3.00 3,331 1.392 0.125 1,603 12,590 0.180 1.438 2,305 18,872
3 3.00 3,379 1.284 0.120 1,949 18,438 0.160 1.328 2,590 26,641
2 3.00 3,390 1.193 0.116 2,279 25,275 0.140 1.203 2,741 34,863
1 3.80 4,220 1.094 0.112 2,666 35,405 0.130 1.160 3,093 46,617
SI 1.50 4,461 1.008 0.108 3,058 39,993 0.108 1.109 3,091 --

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5
Story

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

0 0
0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0 25000 50000
Shear-force coefficient: Ci Mt　(kN・m）

Figure 3.8 Comparison with calculated and design values of Ci and O･T･M.

3.6.3 Story drift of super-structure and vertical load changes on isolator devices
The story drift of super-structure and vertical load changes on isolator devices due to the
horizontal earthquake load are obtained by applying the earthquake force shown in Table 3.10
horizontally to the super-structure statically. In Figure 3.9 is shown the analytical model. The base
at each isolator device can be modeled as fixed or supported by a spring with the value of vertical
stiffness.
The design shear force is used to give safety other than calculated Qi. The drift angle in all
floors of the super-structure must be less than 1/300 demanded by the building code. The vertical
load changes are used to check the maximum and minimum pressure on each isolator device
shown in section 3.8.

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 Figure 3.9 The analytical model to calculate drift angle and vertical load changes.

3.6.4 Substructure
The foundation is assumed at depth 4m underground. The shear force of the sub-structure can be
obtained by following step.

Qsub=Qiso+2 k Wb=3,091+2*0.09*6,000=4,147 kN
k: seismic intensity for sub-structure. k=0.1(1-H/40)=0.09
Wb: weight of the foundation. Wb =6,000 kN.

3.7 Evaluation of response values of SI layer from wind load

The wind load is confirmed by two levels, where the return period is 50 and 500 years,
respectively. The response is related with the geometry of the building and wind velocity. In
Figure 3.10 is shown the response displacement of the SI layer. Not to let the SI layer has large
deformation even during extreme wind is necessary. In Figure 3.11, is shown the comparison
between two level’s wind loads and design shear force. Since this building is small, the design
shear force is large enough.
2000

1500
Shear-force (kN)

1000

500

0
0 50 100 150 200
Displacement (mm)

Figure 3.10 Response against wind load on the force-displacement curve of SI layer
8

5
Story

0
0 1000 2000 3000 4000
Figure 3.11 Comparison betweenStory
twoshear-force:
level’sQwi,
wind
Qei loads and design shear force.

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3.8 Confirmation of safety of devices for vertical load
The vertical load changes on isolator devices due to the horizontal earthquake load were
calculated at section 3.6.3. A vertical earthquake load of 0.3g is also applied to check maximum
and minimum pressure on each isolator device. The maximum response displacement of 0.476m
due to Minus change is used.
Maximum pressure: WD·1.3 + Vseis
Minimum pressure: WD·0.7 - Vseis
WD: vertical loads on isolation devices shown in Table 3.2
Vseis: vertical load changes calculated at section 3.6.3

In Table 3.11, is shown an example of the maximum and minimum pressure check on the RB80.
In Figure 3.12, are shown two cases of vertical load for isolator devices. Case 1 shows permanent
load at displacement zero. Case 2 shows the above maximum and minimum pressure on each
isolator device.

Table 3.11 Maximum and minimum pressure check on the RB80.

Vertical
Devices Seismic load (Vseis) WD·1.3 + Vseis WD·0.7 - Vseis
load
Isolator WD X Y X Y X Y
(kN) (kN) (kN) (kN) (kN) (kN) (kN)
RB80 4,363 1,135 736 6,807 6,408 1,919 2,318

60
60
Comp. stress(N/mm2)

50 σc=45
50 σc=49

40 Fc
40

30 2/3Fc 30 2/3Fc

20 20
1/3Fc
1/3Fc
10 10
0 0
0 100 200 300 400 500 0 100 200 300 400 500
Lateral strain(%) Lateral strain (%)

RB80S stress-strain curve RB80 stress-strain curve

60 σc=57 60 σc=57
0.9σc 0.9σc
50 50
Fc : vetical Fc: vertical
standard standard
40 40
Comp. stress (N/mm2)

strength strength
2/3Fc 2/3Fc
30 30

20 1/3Fc 20 1/3Fc

10 10

0 0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Lateral displacement (mm) Lateral displacement (mm)
SC60 stress-displacement curve SC70 stress-displacement curve

Figure 3.12 Comparison between response and limit of isolator devices.

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3.9 Securing safety of connections of devices to structures
The footings and beams must be strong enough to ensure the isolator or damper devices work
normally during an earthquake. To design those structure elements and the connection plates or
anchor plates, the extreme deformation of the SI layer is assumed.
The connection part is acted with a shear force and large moment as shown in Figure 3.13 and
calculated by following equations. The maximum shear force and moment check on the RB80 is
shown in Table 3.12. Fixing bolts and anchor stud bars etc. should be calculated using these
values too.

Nd = WD·1.3 + Vseis
δ = δr
Qd = Qy + K2δ
M = Mv+tMd = 1/2 Ndδ + Qd(ht+1/2 h)

Moment due to the P-Δ effect Moment by shear force

Figure 3.13 Moment acting on the footings and beams.

Table 3.12 Maximum shear force and moment check on the RB80.

Nd δ Qd Mv h ht tMd M
(kN) (m) (kN) (kN m) (m) (m) (kN m) (kN m)
RB80 6,807 0.490 534 1,668 0.5 0.7 641 2,309

3.10 Confirmation of satisfaction of stipulations on SI system

The clearance around the SI building should be maintained. As shown in Table 3.9, the maximum
response displacement of SI layer is 0.490m. Then the clearance for inspection should be 0.685m,
the clearance for passerby should be 1.285m.

4 Reference
1) MLIT, etc., 2000, The Notification and Commentary on the Structural Calculation Procedures
for Building with Seismic Isolation –2000– (in Japanese).

2) M. Higashino, S. Okamoto, 2006, Response Control and Seismic Isolation of Buildings, Taylor &
Francis

3) ISO 22762, Elastomeric seismic-protection isolators, 2018

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