Aseismic Hybrid Control System for Building Structures under Strong Earthquake

Two aseismic hybrid control systems recently proposed for protecting tall buildings against strong earthquakes are investigated and evaluated. The hybrid control system consists of a base isolation system connected to either a passive or active mass damper. The base isolation system, such as elastomeric bearings, is used to decouple the horizontal ground motions from the building, whereas the mass damper, either active or passive, is used to protect the safety and integrity of the base isolation system. The per formance of the proposed hybrid control systems is compared with that of an active control system. It is shown from the theoretical/numerical investigations that the proposed hybrid control systems are very effective in reducing the response of tall buildings under strong earthquakes. Likewise, the practical implementation of such hybrid control systems is easier than that of an active control system alone.