Displacement‐proportional friction (DPF) in base isolation

The theoretical implications of an isolation mechanism that utilizes progressively increasing frictional resistance is investigated. This type of frictional resistance can be provided by the tightening together of a set of friction plates by compressive forces that increase with relative separations of the building and the foundation. The mathematical model of the device is developed and its numerical solutions are obtained. It is shown that in comparison with dry friction alone significant reductions in acceleration transmissibility and relative displacement transmissibility can be obtained.