- Author
- Shenton, H. W., III
- Title
- Guidelines for Pre-Qualification, Prototype and Quality Control Testing of Seismic Isolation Systems.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
- NISTIR 5800, January 1996, 143 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- seismic isolation systems | quality control
- Identifiers
- elastomeric, sliding and hydrid seismic isolation systems; rated capacity; pre-qualification tests; prototype tests; quality control tests; research needs in testing of seismic isolation systems
- Abstract
- Testing has become an essential element in the design and construction of seismically base isolated structures. Prototype tests and quality control tests of the isolation system are currently required by the 1994 "Uniform Building Code" and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 1991 "Guide Specifications for Seismic Isolation Design". However, standards do not exist for conducting these tests. The Building and Fire Research Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology has developed guidelines for testing and evaluation of seismic isolation systems. The guidelines were developed in close cooperation with industry, researchers and practitioners. Included in this report are comprehensive guidelines for conducting pre-qualification, prototype and quality control tests of the isolation system. The guidelines are independent of the type of isolation system and application. Thus, they can be used to test elastomeric, sliding or hybrid isolation system and application. Thus, they can be used to test elastomeric, sliding or hybrid isolation systems, for applications that involve buildings, bridges, facilities and other special structures. The guidelines include general requirements of the test facility, instrumentation, calibration, data acquisition, data analysis and reporting of results. All tests are presented in a standard format that includes the following elements: test designation, purpose, sequence, procedure, performance criteria, special requirements and exceptions. The guidelines are to serve as a resource document for voluntary standard/specification writing organizations, and for practitioners and researchers involved in the design, manufacture and testing of seismic isolation systems.