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Stream/Area:
-
Subject:
-
Paper ID:
IJSREM65919
Volume:
10 |
7 |
Jul 2026
Pages:
1-9
Publication Frequency:
Monthly (12 issues per year)
License:International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering and Management follows the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) License, allowing free use and distribution with proper attribution.
Department of Civil Engineering
Shri Venkateshwara University
Department of Civil Engineering
Shri Venkateshwara University
Department of Civil Engineering
Shri Venkateshwara University
Department of Civil Engineering
Shri Venkateshwara University
Department of Civil Engineering
Shri Venkateshwara University
Mid-rise reinforced concrete (RC) buildings exhibit significant vulnerability to seismic forces, often experiencing substantial structural and non-structural damage during earthquakes. This dissertation presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of two advanced seismic protection strategies: base isolation systems and supplemental energy dissipation devices, aimed at enhancing the performance of these structures. The study utilizes ETABS, a state-of-the-art structural analysis software, to conduct detailed three-dimensional modelling and analysis of representative mid-rise RC frame buildings. The research methodology involves developing models for a fixed-base building, a base-isolated building, and a building equipped with energy dissipation devices. The effectiveness of Lead Rubber Bearings (LRB) is evaluated as base isolation techniques. The seismic performance of these models is assessed through nonlinear dynamic time-history analysis using a suite of ground motion records and nonlinear static (pushover) analysis. Key performance parameters, including base shear, inter-story drift, floor accelerations, and displacement demands, are systematically evaluated to quantify the effectiveness of each protection strategy. The results demonstrate that base isolation significantly lengthens the structure's fundamental period, leading to a substantial reduction in floor accelerations and inter-story drifts, thereby protecting both structural and non-structural components. Energy dissipation devices are also shown to effectively reduce displacement and dissipate seismic energy, offering a viable solution for seismic retrofitting. This study provides a quantitative comparison of these systems, offering critical insights into their respective advantages and limitations for mid-rise RC buildings. The findings will aid structural engineers in selecting the most appropriate seismic protection system to achieve desired performance objectives, such as Immediate Occupancy or Life Safety, contributing to the development of more resilient urban infrastructure.
KEYWORDS
This study systematically evaluated the effectiveness of base isolation techniques, specifically Lead Rubber Bearings (LRB), on the seismic performance of a mid-rise reinforced concrete (RC) building. A comprehensive parametric analysis was conducted using ETABS to compare a conventional fixed-base model against four isolated configurations (LRB 600, LRB 800, Custom 1, and Custom 2), varying in stiffness and yield strength. The results establish that the strategic implementation of LRB systems significantly decouples the superstructure from ground-induced seismic excitations, thereby enhancing structural stability and serviceability.
Naeim, F. & Kelly, J. M. – Design of Seismic Isolated Structures: From Theory to Practice Mayes, R. L. & Naeim, F. – Design of Structures with Seismic Isolation (chapter in The Seismic Design Handbook) — a survey of seismic isolation principles, devices, and design procedures. Robinson, W. H. – Inventor of the lead rubber bearing (LRB), widely referenced in base isolation research and applications. Bhandari et al. (2018) Scientific studies on HDRB and LRB base isolation — comparisons of different isolation systems for multi-storey RC buildings exploring performance under seismic excitations. Ozer et al. (2025) — compared fixed base vs. various base isolation models (LRB, friction bearings) and confirmed reduced seismic demands with base isolation. Kazeminezhad et al. (2025) — presented design refinements and performance improvements for LRBs in reinforced concrete buildings, emphasizing reductions in drifts and forces. Ras & Boumechra (2016) – Seismic energy dissipation using fluid viscous dampers — numerical analysis showing FVDs significantly improve seismic response without increasing stiffness. Belbachir et al. (2023/2024) – explored the use of fluid viscous dampers combined with high-damping rubber bearings in base-isolated RC buildings, demonstrating energy dissipation benefits and reductions in base shear and accelerations. MDPI Applied Sciences (2025) – review article summarizing seismic behavior with supplementary dampers, covering fluid viscous, viscoelastic, friction and other damper types, useful for background on energy dissipation theories. MDPI Enhancing Seismic Resilience… (2025) – quantified the improvements in drift and displacement due to non-linear viscous dampers in reinforced concrete buildings. Seismic response of base-isolated buildings: exploring isolator properties - Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Lead-rubber-bearing-a-3D-view-b-sectional-view_fig1_379835328
Publication Date
7/8/2026
Peer Review Type
Double-Blind Peer Review
Review Rounds: 2
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Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this research work.
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