Physical-parameter identification of base-isolated buildings using backbone curves

In this paper, a simplified system identification procedure is developed to investigate the dynamic characteristics of base-isolated buildings equipped with lead-rubber bearings (LRBs). The multistory superstructure is assumed to be linear on the account of substantial reduction in seismic forces due to the installation of LRBs for which a bilinear hysteretic model is considered. The hysteretic model is in turn characterized by a backbone curve by which the multivalued restoring force is transformed into a single-valued function. With the introduction of backbone curves, the system identification analysis of inelastic structures is simplified to a large extent. The proposed algorithm extracts individually the physical parameters of each floor and the bearing system that are considered useful information in the structural health monitoring. A numerical example is conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of using the proposed technique for physical-parameter identification of partially inelastic based-isolated buildings.