Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to seismic isolation between a structure such as building or bridge, and its foundation, and more particularly to a support system for isolating a building from the effect of seismic activity.

Background of the Invention

During an earthquake or seismic activity, structures or objects such as buildings tend to displace, tilt or overturn which usually damage the buildings. To reduce this effect, different types of supports and construction techniques have been used.

One approach to reduce building damage is to isolate the building from its foundation so that only the foundation is affected from the movement and/or vibration resulting from a seismic activity. One technique is provide an elastomeric bearing which allows an elastic movement between the building and its foundation. This techniques includes the use of laminated elastomeric materials, such as rubber and/or spring. The elastomeric material absorbs shear strain and allows shear deformation

The present invention provides a support system for isolating a structure from a foundation where the structure is built on in the event of an earthquake or seismic activity so that the applied forces from the earthquake or seismic activity will be damped and/or absorbed by the foundation without directly affecting the structure. Summary of the Invention

A support system for isolating a structure and/or object from a seismic activity includes a foundation for supporting the structure and/object. The foundation includes a number of isolation devices for damping and absorbing movement and/or vibration resulting from a seismic activity. The isolation device includes a joint that allows the foundation to have some degree of articulating movement in response to a seismic activity. The isolation device further includes an elastic element to limit the articulating movement as well as to restore the foundation to its original position. For example, the joint is a ball-and-socket joint, and the elastic element is in the form of an elastomeric material such as rubber and/or a spring which permits elastic movement. The joint works in concert with the elastic element to accommodate vertical and/or horizontal movement and/or vibration of the foundation.

In an embodiment, the support system for isolating a structure such as a building from a seismic activity has a foundation for supporting the building. The foundation includes a number of isolation devices for damping and/or absorbing movement and/or vibration resulting from a seismic activity. The isolation device includes a joint that allows the foundation to have some degree of articulating movement in response to a seismic activity. The isolation device further includes an elastic element to restrain the articulating movement so that the foundation is kept to its original position. For example, the joint is a ball and socket joint, and the elastic element can be a block of elastomeric material such as rubber and/or spring which permits elastic movement. The joint works in concert with the elastic element to accommodate both vertical and/or horizontal movement of the foundation that allow the building to have some degree of titling relative to its upright position in response to the seismic activity. In the same embodiment, the support system for isolating an object such as a floor framework from a seismic activity has a foundation for supporting the framework. The foundation includes a number of isolation devices for damping and absorbing movement and/or vibration resulting from a seismic activity. For example, the framework includes a plurality of beams such as steel I-beams. The isolation device includes a joint that allows the foundation to have some degree of articulating movement in response to a seismic activity. The isolation device further includes an elastic element to restrain the articulating movement so that the foundation is kept to its original position. For example, the joint is a ball and socket joint, and the elastic element can be a block of elastomeric material such as rubber and/or a spring which permits elastic movement. The joint works in concert with the elastic element to accommodate both vertical and/or horizontal movement of the foundation that allow the framework to have some degree of titling in response to the seismic activity.

In another embodiment, a support system for isolating a structure and object such as a floor framework and a building from a seismic activity has a foundation for supporting both framework and building. The foundation includes a number of isolation devices for damping and absorbing vibration resulting from a seismic activity. For example, the framework includes a plurality of first beams such as steel I-beams. The isolation device includes a joint that allows the foundation to have some degree of articulating movement in response to a seismic activity. The isolation device further includes an elastic element to limit the articulating movement as well as to restore the foundation to its original position. For example, the joint is a ball-and-socket joint, and the elastic element can be an elastomeric material such as rubber either in the block or laminated form, and/or a spring which permits elastic movement. The joint works in concert with the elastic element to accommodate both vertical and/or horizontal movement of the foundation that allow the framework to tilt in response to the seismic activity. The first beams further includes movable members for holding second beams. The second beams act as a movable support for supporting the building. For example, the movable members are hanging arms suspended from the first beams.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of an existing support system having a number of elastomeric bearings supporting a building;

Fig. 2 is a side of a support system of an embodiment according to the present invention supporting a building;

Fig. 3 is a side view of a support system of a second embodiment according to the present invention supporting a building.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the support system of the second embodiment with different arrangement.

Fig. 5 is a side view of a partial assembly of the support system shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4;

Fig. 6 is a side view of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a side view of a partial assembly of the support system shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4;

Fig. 8 is a side view of a partial assembly shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a side view of an isolation device shown in Figs. 2 to 8; Fig. 10 (a-d) are side views of conical-shaped components of the isolation device shown in Figs. 2 to 9 in different configurations;

Fig. 11 is a side view of an auxiliary support as shown in Fig. 4

Fig. 12 is a side view of another auxiliary support for the support system

Fig. 13 is a side view of yet another auxiliary support the support system

Fig. 14 is a side view of yet another auxiliary support the support system

Fig. 15a is a side view of a hanging arm; and Fig. 15b is the side view of Fig. 15a.

Fig. 16a and 16b are side views of another isolation devices of the support system.

Fig. 17 is a side view of the system with isolation devices of Fig. 16a and 16b.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

The present invention provides a support system for isolating a structure and/or object from a seismic activity. The support system has a foundation for supporting the structure and/or object such as building, framework, floor or bridge. The foundation includes a number of isolation devices with an articulating joint, such as a ball-and-socket joint working in concert with an elastic element. The articulating joint allow the structure and/or object to tilt. The articulating movement of the joint will affect the original state of the elastic element. The elastic element absorbs shear strain and damp excitation resulting from vertical and/or vertical movement and provide a restoring force to recover the original relationship between the structure and the foundation.

Fig. 1 is a side view of an example of existing support system having a number of elastomeric materials (101) which allow some degree of elastic movement between a building (10) and a foundation (103).

Fig. 2 is a side view of a support system of an embodiment according to the present invention. The support system having a foundation (203) with a number of isolation devices (201) supporting a building (20). The isolation devices (201) are preferably disposed on each corner of the building (20).

Fig. 3 is a side view of a support system of a second embodiment according to the present invention. The support system having a number of raised isolation devices (201) supporting first beams (303a, 303b) wherein the first beams (303a, 303b) comprising movable hanging arms (305a, 305b) . The hanging arms (305a, 305b) are suspended from the first beams (303a, 303b) via a bracket (307a, 307b) located at one end, and are pivoted by way of a pint joint to allow pivotal motion. The hanging arms (305a, 305b) each further includes a bracket (308a, 308b) at the other end to hold second beams (309). A building (30) is supported on the second beams (309). The isolation devices (201) can be raised on a steel structure (301). In this way, the foundation will experience a lesser vibration (if any) .

Fig. 4 is a side view of the support system of the second embodiment having the second beams (309) held at different ends. An auxiliary support (401) is optionally provided underneath the second beams (309) to further support the beams (309). In another example, the support system is used to support floors of a multi-storey building wherein the support systems are installed to support each floor.

Fig. 5 is a side view a raised isolation device (201) includes first beams (303a, 303b) and movable hanging arm (305). Fig. 6 is a side view of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a side view of the assembly of the isolation device (201), the first beam (303a, 303b) and hanging arms (305a, 305b) with different arrangement.

Fig. 8 is a side view of a support system comprises isolation devices in the form of laminated elastomeric bearings (801). Fig. 9 is a side view of the isolation device (201). The isolation device includes an articulating joint and an elastic element for damping and absorbing vibration or applied forces resulting from a seismic activity. The joint is a ball-and-socket joint that allows rotational movement in a plurality of directions. The isolation device includes an upper plate (901a) and a lower plate (901b) to confine the joint and elastic element into a unit. The joint is provided by an engagement between a socket portion (803) provided on the upper plate (901a) and a ball portion (905) of a conical-shaped component (90). The conical-shaped component (90) has a smaller rounded surface (902a) at the top end and a bigger rounded surface (902b) at the bottom end. The bottom end is engaged inside a bowl (907) which allows the bigger rounded surface to be in contact with the bowl's (907) surface. Preferably the bowl has a flat internal base. The flat surface allows the conical shape to rock and/or spin around. The elastic element in the form of coil spring (909) and/or elastomeric material such as rubber are mounted substantially around the conical-shaped component(s) (90) joining the upper plate (901a) and the lower plate (901b). The conical-shaped components (90) will move in response to the horizontal and/or vertical movements and/or vibration of the plates (801a, 801b). In operation, when the upper and/or lower plates are subject to vertical forces from a seismic activity, the plates will have a degree of titling over the conical-shape component (90). The upper plate will tilt over the upper end whereas the lower plate will tilt over the bottom end. This tilting results in the element to be in the state of compression and/or tension. The elasticity of the elastic element will pull and/push the plates to their original position. On the other hand, the elastic element will restore to its natural position.

Figs. 10A-D show side view of different configuration of conical-shaped components (90). Preferably the center of the bottom end is provided with a small projections to increase the contact surface with the bowl's base. In this way pressure exerted over the conical-shaped components (90) are largely distributed over the surface. Fig. lOB-C are side view of conical-shaped components with outward central projections. Fig. A is a side view of a conical-shaped component with inward central projection. Fig. 1OD is a side view of a conical-shaped without central projection.

Fig. 11 is a side view of the auxiliary support (401) as shown in Fig. 4, the auxiliary support includes horizontal springs and rolling element, such as steel balls (113). The rolling element such as in the form of steel balls (113) is disposed between the horizontal coil spring (111) . Vertical spring (121) can be further disposed on the auxiliary support as shown in Fig. 12. In Fig. 13, the auxiliary support can be in the form of vertical springs (130) supporting a plate wherein the plate is supported by a set of steel balls which is further supported by vertical springs. Fig. 14 shows that the auxiliary support can also act as an isolation device for supporting the framework as disclosed in the second embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a side view of the movable member having a ball-and-socket joint The movable member includes a first bracket at one end to hold the first beam and a second bracket to hold the second beam. The bracket has a socket to receive a spherical or semi-spherical portion. This joint allows articulating movement of the hanging arm.

Figs. 16a and 16b show another isolation devices of the support system. The conical-shaped components, each comprising a ball-and-socket joint (163a, 163b) at the top which permits an articulating movement. Each of the bottom end portions of the isolation devices is substantially surrounded by an elastomeric bearing (165a, 165b) . The bottom end portion shown in Fig. 16a has a bigger rounded surface which is disposed on a central recess (167a) on the elastomeric bearing . The bottom end shown in Fig. 16b has an inward central projection which sit on an upright projection (169b) and substantially surrounded by an elastomeric bearing in the form of a ring. Fig. 17 shows a support system according to the present invention supported by isolation devices shown in Fig. 16 a and 16b.