Dynamic characteristics of shear buildings on laminated rubber bearings

Analytical solutions are derived for the dynamic characteristics of base-isolated shear buildings supported on laminated rubber bearings. The solution process takes into account the combined effects of the superstructure flexibility and the base raft inertia on the dynamic characteristics. A series of parametric studies is carried out and the effects of varying the stiffness and mass of the base-isolation system on the frequencies and mode shapes are identified. Approximate solutions for the fundamental base-isolated frequency and mode shape are obtained, which are suitable for use in the preliminary design of non-rigid base-isolated buildings.