Simple base isolators which rely on friction bearings to limit the accelerations transmitted to a building during seismic activity may suffer large cumulative displacements and require some form of resilient controlling element. To provide a balance between relative displacement and maximum acceleration, a parametric study of resilient/friction base isolators shows the interaction of friction coefficients and spring constants in determining the building motion. The most appropriate friction coefficients are established and the added benefits of resilient restraints are demonstrated. It is shown that for each earthquake record and intensity there is an optimum spring constant that minimizes the displacement of the building relative to the ground, without increasing significantly the building acceleration above that caused by the force to initiate sliding.
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