ABSTRACT Seismic engineering is facing challenges related to natural disasters, particularly earthquakes. The base isolation has been a proven vibration control technique for tall buildings, effectively reducing the impact of earthquakes on structural systems. Lead rubber bearings (LRBs) are a common implementation of this technique. This paper presents a detailed evaluation of the LRBs applied to an actual building. The LRBs' selection process and parameter determination are based on the building's specific features, ensuring compatibility between the isolator and structural requirements. The building is modeled using the finite element method, with the LRBs simulated as nonlinear base‐isolator elements for precise performance assessment. Two earthquake records (i.e., El Centro and Chi‐Chi) are used to analyze vibration control effectiveness under seismic loads. This paper examines two aspects: (1) the overall structural responses, including vibration responses, seismic energy absorption, peak displacement, story drift, peak acceleration, and base shear force; and (2) the internal forces in members, including shear forces and bending moments in columns and shear walls. Comparing results with and without the LRBs, under both normal conditions and seismic events, highlights their significant benefits. The findings serve as a comprehensive guide for structural engineers in choosing optimal vibration control strategies for tall building structures.
Nguyen et al. (Mon,) studied this question.