Investigation of the Seismic Performances of an FRBs Base Isolated Steel Frame through Hybrid Testing

Hybrid testing is a technique that combines physical testing and numerical simulation. In this paper, the results of a hybrid test are presented in order to describe the seismic behavior of a steel frame isolated using Fiber Reinforced Bearings (FRBs). FRBs tested in this study are made by recycled rubber and carbon fiber reinforcement. In the hybrid simulations, the seismic bearings constitute the physical models, and the structure is simulated by a numerical model. The test demonstrates the feasibility of an innovative, low cost, seismic isolation technology and the applicability to frame structures.