Impact of the equivalent center of mass separating from the sliding surface on the isolation performance of friction pendulum bearings

A new equivalent center of mass model of FPBs (friction pendulum bearings) is introduced, and based on this model, coefficient j of the equivalent center of mass separating from the sliding surface is defined. It is thought in theory that j has a significant impact on the isolation parameter of FPBs, since the equivalent post-yielding stiffness and friction coefficients are not simply determined by sliding radius and sliding friction pairs. The results of numerical simulation analysis using ABAQUS conducted on two groups of FPBs support this viewpoint. For FPBs with the same sliding radius and sliding friction pairs, the FPB modules of structural analysis software such as ETABS could only distinguish the equivalent transformation using j one by one. The seismic response data obtained in a base isolation calculation example of FPBs are very different, which reveals that j’s impact on the isolation effectiveness of FPBs cannot be ignored. The introduction of j will help improve the classical structural theory of FPBs and the weak points of structural analysis software based on this theory, which is important in achieving more accurate analyses in structural design.

RESEARCH ON EQUIVALENT PROCESSES OF ROCK MASS PARAMETERS WITH ANCHOR PILES

Using normal and shear rigid coefficients of intact rock and fracture plane, rigidly normal, shear equivalent rigid coefficients of fissure rock mass are conducted. On the basis of hypotheses of small displacement of rock mass, principle of superposition, irrelevance of strength parameters C and T and Coulomb theory, formulas to calculate equivalent strength parameters C and phi of equivalent continuous mass from fissured rock mass with anchor piles are given. The achievement is extremely valuable in integral stability analysis of the rock mass slope and important in promoting the research of the rock mass's constitutive relation.

Design and Evaluation of a Differential Accelerometer for Drop-Tower Equivalence Principle Test with Rotating Masses

A differential accelerometer comprising of two rotating masses made of the same material is proposed for drop tower-based free-fall testing of the spin-spin force between the rotating mass and the Earth. The measurement is performed by placing the two concentric masses of very different momenta in a vacuum drop capsule which is falling freely in the Earth＇s gravitational field. A nonzero output of the differential aeeelerometer is an indication of possible violation of new equivalence principle （NEP）. We present the conceptual design of a modified free-fall NEP experiment which can be performed at the Belting drop tower. Design and evaluation of the differential accelerometer with a hybrid electrostatic/magnetic suspension system are presented to accommodate for operation on ground and drop-tower tests. Details specific to the measurement uncertainty are discussed to yield an NEP test accuracy of 7.2×10^-9.

Investigation of block foundations resting on soil-rock and rock-rock media under coupled vibrations

In the present study,the dynamic response of block foundations of different equivalent radius to mass（R;/m） ratios under coupled vibrations is investigated for various homogeneous and layered systems.The frequency-dependent stiffness and damping of foundation resting on homogeneous soils and rocks are determined using the half-space theory.The dynamic response characteristics of foundation resting on the layered system considering rock-rock combination are evaluated using finite element program with transmitting boundaries.Frequencies versus amplitude responses of block foundation are obtained for both translational and rotational motion.A new methodology is proposed for determination of dynamic response of block foundations resting on soil-rock and weathered rock-rock system in the form of equations and graphs.The variations of dimensionless natural frequency and dimensionless resonant amplitude with shear wave velocity ratio are investigated for different thicknesses of top soil/weathered rock layer.The dynamic behaviors of block foundations are also analyzed for different rock-rock systems by considering sandstone,shale and limestone underlain by basalt.The variations of stiffness,damping and amplitudes of block foundations with frequency are shown in this study for various rock—rock combinations.In the analysis,two resonant peaks are observed at two different frequencies for both translational and rotational motion.It is observed that the dimensionless resonant amplitudes decrease and natural frequencies increase with increase in shear wave velocity ratio.Finally,the parametric study is performed for block foundations with dimensions of 4 m × 3 m × 2 m and 8m×5m×2m by using generalized graphs.The variations of natural frequency and peak displacement amplitude are also studied for different top layer thicknesses and eccentric moments.