For the development of better design approaches to protect buildings from earthquake damage, base isolation, to reduce the seismic energy impacting on the structure, has represented a change of paradigm since it came to the fore in the second half of the last century. This paper presents a historical overview of base isolation to trace the principal stages of its scientific and technological development. It will show that, although presented as an innovative technique, the basic concept behind base isolation is far from being a modern development. In particular, the paper describes when and under what circumstances the basic principles of base isolation were for the first time conceived, tested and put in practice. One aim is also to give due credit to the actual inventor of the first base isolation device. Starting from that crucial event, the study follows a twofold perspective: on the one hand, it examines in chronological order the main stages of development, as well as the process of innovation by which base isolation has become a mature discipline, and on the other, it looks at the historical sources and the archaeological record searching for potential precursors. The data analysis shows that the idea of loosening the tie between the ground and the structure has its roots in antiquity, as evidenced by a set of construction practices like the interposition of sand or clay layers under the foundations. Although these technical solutions fit well with the basic principles of base isolation, this does not mean, however, that ancient builders had a real understanding of the potential anti-seismic effectiveness of their techniques.

Base Isolation from a Historical Perspective

Carpani B.
2017-01-01

Abstract

For the development of better design approaches to protect buildings from earthquake damage, base isolation, to reduce the seismic energy impacting on the structure, has represented a change of paradigm since it came to the fore in the second half of the last century. This paper presents a historical overview of base isolation to trace the principal stages of its scientific and technological development. It will show that, although presented as an innovative technique, the basic concept behind base isolation is far from being a modern development. In particular, the paper describes when and under what circumstances the basic principles of base isolation were for the first time conceived, tested and put in practice. One aim is also to give due credit to the actual inventor of the first base isolation device. Starting from that crucial event, the study follows a twofold perspective: on the one hand, it examines in chronological order the main stages of development, as well as the process of innovation by which base isolation has become a mature discipline, and on the other, it looks at the historical sources and the archaeological record searching for potential precursors. The data analysis shows that the idea of loosening the tie between the ground and the structure has its roots in antiquity, as evidenced by a set of construction practices like the interposition of sand or clay layers under the foundations. Although these technical solutions fit well with the basic principles of base isolation, this does not mean, however, that ancient builders had a real understanding of the potential anti-seismic effectiveness of their techniques.
2017
978-1-5108-9008-4
anti-seismic construction history, base isolation, ancient building techniques
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12079/61061
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