Experimental dynamic response of spherical friction-based isolation devices

ABSTRACT

This article presents a summary of the experimental dynamic response of curved surface sliders as resulting from more than 1000 dynamic tests on about 60 different types of devices performed at the laboratory of the EUCENTRE foundation. Two different kinds of low-friction sliding materials have been employed in the devices, derived from polyamide (PA), or polyethylene (PE) materials.

The rate of change of the dynamic friction coefficient as a function of sliding velocity and contact pressure is assessed and the transition phase between dynamic and static friction, with the consequent possible evidence of static/stick-slip phenomena, has been carefully considered.

KEYWORDS:

• Base isolation
• friction-based devices
• polyamide (PA)
• polyethylene (PE)
• experimental dynamic response
• friction coefficient
• contact pressure
• sliding velocity