Hybrid isolation systems for equipment protection

This paper presents a formulation for earthquake resistant design of optimum hybrid isolation systems for sensitive equipment protection. The hybrid system under consideration consists of laminated rubber bearings, viscodampers and a set of actuators which, grounded on the main structural system, deliver forces on the basement of the isolated substructure mounted on the main structural system. An integrated design procedure for the passive and active components of the isolation system is developed aiming at acceleration reduction under random excitation. Linear models are used for the isolated structure, the main structural system and the isolation system. Fractional derivative Maxwell elements are used to model the mechanical behaviour of the viscodampers. The active component of the isolation system applies forces proportional to the absolute velocity of the isolated piece of equipment. Constraints in the deformation capacity of the isolators as well as constraints in the capacity of the actuators are considered for the design of an optimal hybrid isolation system. Simple numerical examples are developed herein to illustrate the design procedure. The superiority of hybrid systems over passive systems in reducing acceleration response is demonstrated.