SED 19 (print) Seismic Isolation and Response Control

The seismic resilience of new and existing structures is a key priority for the protection of human lives and the reduction of economic losses in earthquake prone areas. The modern seismic codes have focused on the upgrade of the structural performance of the new and existing structures. However, in many cases it is preferrable to mitigate the effects of the earthquakes by reducing the induced loads in the structures using seismic isolation and response control devices. The selection of the appropriate system and the limited expertise on the design of these systems for new and existing structures are the main challenges for the extensive use of seismic isolation and response control systems in practice. This document aims to provide a practical guide by presenting a collection of the most commonly used seismic isolation and response control systems and a critical evaluation of the main characteristics of these systems. Comparisons of the key parameters of the design processes for new buildings with seismic isolation are presented, while the application of seismic isolation systems and response control systems for the retrofitting of existing structures is also examined, followed by various case studies from Greece, Japan Mexico New Zealand, and Turkey.