10th World Conference on Seismic Isolation, Energy Dissipation and Active Vibration Control

of Structures, Istanbul, Turkey, May 28-31

STATE OF THE ART AND STATE OF THE PRACTICE FOR

ENERGY DISSIPATION AND SEISMIC ISOLATION OF
STRUCTURES IN MEXICO

Arturo Tena-Colunga 1
1
Departamento de Materiales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Azcapotzalco, Edif H, 3er Piso,
Av. San Pablo # 180, Col. Reynosa Tamaulipas, 02200 Mexico City, DF, MEXICO
e-mail: atc@correo.azc.uam.mx

ABSTRACT

This paper summarizes experimental and analytical research efforts conducted in Mexico
since 1986 to successfully implement the passive energy dissipation and seismic isolation of
structures in practice, among them the development of design procedures and seismic
guidelines to be included in building codes in the near future.

The paper presents and up-to-date report of all the structures currently with passive energy
dissipation devices and base isolation in Mexico, and some information of applications for
other Latin-American countries.

Particular emphasis will be made on current research trends in Mexico devoted to improve
design methods, as well as to include specific design guidelines for the updated version of
the Manual of Civil Structures, a model code to be published tentatively in 2008.

1. INTRODUCTION

Mexican structural engineering has been interested in seismic isolation and passive energy
dissipation of structures for a long time. For example, the pioneering work of
González-Flores (1964) in proposing, testing and implementing a rolling isolation device in
a school in Mexico City (near-firm or “transition” soil profile type) is well known. Besides,
passive energy dissipation devices started to be used in Mexico in the late 1980´s as an
innovative solution to retrofit midrise RC buildings that were damaged during the 1985
earthquake and/or had to be upgraded according to the regulations of the 1987 Mexico’s
Federal District Code (RCDF-87 1987).

Many research efforts have been done since that time, as summarized in following sections.
However, applications are growing slowly, particularly for base isolation projects, as also
presented in following sections. One of the reasons for this slow progress is the absence of
specific design guidelines in recognized building codes, despite the fact that general
guidelines and design methods have been already proposed for both passive energy
dissipation (for example, Silva and Ruiz 1993, Tena-Colunga and Vergara 1997,
Tena-Colunga 1998, Esteva and Veras 1998, Ruiz 2002, Montiel and Ruiz 2006,
Terán-Gilmore and Virto 2006) and for base isolation (for example, Tena-Colunga 1997a,
2000b, 2001, 2002b, 2004 and 2005, Villegas-Jiménez and Tena-Colunga 2000). Fortunately,
the updated version for the Manual of Civil Structures (MOC), a model code that is used in
the entire nation in lieu of a specific code for a state or a city, will include specific guidelines
for the design of structures with passive energy dissipation devices and base isolation. This
updated version is in progress and is scheduled to be presented in 2008.

In following sections, the author intends to present a general picture summarizing what has
been done in Mexico in base isolation and passive energy dissipation in research, design and
applications, with particular emphasis in current trends devoted to develop new devices, to
improve design methods, as well as to include specific design guidelines for the updated
version of the Manual of Civil Structures.

2. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

Some experimental research has been conducted in Mexico to develop and/or test base
isolation and passive energy dissipation devices.

2.1. Research for Base Isolation

The pioneering experimental work conducted in Mexico was the development of the rolling
base-isolation device proposed by Gonzalez-Flores in the 1960´s (González-Flores 1964,
Figure 1), where the old shaking-table of the Institute of Engineering of UNAM was used.
Unfortunately, this was for a long time the only experimental testing on isolation systems
conducted in Mexico, as the pendular system proposed by Garza-Tamez, known as the
GT-BIS System, was tested at the University of Illinois (Foutch et al. 1993, Figure 2).

Figure 1 Rolling base-isolation system proposed by González-Flores (“Karl Steinbrugge” 2007)

Botero et al. (2005) presented an experimental and analytical study devoted to develop cheap
sliding-friction base isolation systems using conventional materials and located at common
foundation interfaces. Reduced-scale models were tested in a small, built-in shaking table.
First results suggest that a main parameter to account for is the variation of the coefficient of
friction at the interface due to its dependence on the change of velocity rate and interface
material degradation with cyclic displacements.
Finally, Yeomans et al. (2006) have recently presented a shaking-table testing of an isolation
system based in the generated friction forces at the interface between the housing foundation
and the granular sliding material underneath (Figure 3). Concrete spheres 10 cm in diameter
spaced every meter and surrounded by a gravel math is proposed as the granular
frictional-sliding isolation system. This isolation system is intended for mitigating the
seismic effects in low-income one-story houses, and dwellings by untying the main structure
from the ground in an engineered way.. Results from shaking table testing on 1:10 scaled
models for a fixed-base model and the one with the proposed frictional isolation show that
reduced acceleration forces are developed in the isolated model, about 1/3 of those
experienced by the fixed-base model.

Figure 3 Friction isolation system tested by Yeomans et al.

(2006)

Figure 2 Testing of the GT-BIS

system (Foutch et al. 1993)

2.2. Research for Passive Energy Dissipation

The first passive energy dissipation device tested in Mexico were the U-shaped mild steel
strips elements (U elements) known in Mexico as “dispositivos solera” (DS), which were
formerly tested at UNAM. Comprehensive experimental research was conducted in these
devices to define cyclic fatigue characteristics to given deformations (Aguirre and Sánchez
1992), beside of conducting shaking table tests of frames with such devices mounted on
diagonal concentric bracing (Figure 4, González-Alcorta 1990, González-Alcorta et al. 1994,
González-Alcorta 1998). Pseudo-static cyclic tests of the DS devices mounted in chevron
bracing were also performed at the reaction wall of Cenapred. Despite all this testing that
have shown that these DS devices are a good option to dissipate energy safely and
economically, unfortunately, there are no structures with DS devices yet built or retrofitted in
Mexico.

Cyclic tests of a simple device based on the hysteretic behavior of the bending of simply
supported plates proposed by Ortega-Beltrán (Figure 5) were conducted at Instituto de
Ingeniería of UNAM (Escobar et al. 2002). These devices are known in Mexico as
“dispositivos viga” (DV), and have already been implemented in the retrofit of the SAGAR
building in Mexico City (Ayala et al. 2000), as illustrated later.

b
A C
e
R F

Figure 4 Shaking table test of the DS devices (photo courtesy of Ricardo González-Alcorta)

Figure 5 Cyclic testing of the DV device (photo courtesy of Alberto Escobar)

Pseudo-static cyclic tests of low-yield steel shear panel devices (LYSSP) mounted in chevron
bracing were also performed at the reaction wall of Cenapred (Aparicio and López-Bátiz,
2003), where one of the studied variables was the use of horizontal or vertical stiffeners o no
stiffeners at all (Figure 6). From this testing, there was a small difference in the global
hysteretic response obtained from using a horizontal or vertical stiffener, but certainly the
use of stiffeners improve the stability and energy dissipation characteristics for the device.
 Figure 5 Pseudo-static cyclic testing of LYSSP devices (photos courtesy of Sergio Alcocer)

Pseudo-static cyclic tests of a two-story RC waffle flatslab building model retrofitted with a
flexible steel device (FSD) mounted in concentric bracing in a similar fashion as the original
Pall friction device (Figure 6) was performed at the reaction wall of the University of the
State of Mexico (UAEM) by Vera et al. (2000). The interior frame was retrofitted with the
FSD mounted in concentric steel bracing, whereas the exterior frame was not retrofitted.
From the experimental results can be concluded that the proposed device was effective and
dissipated energy in an efficient way. The retrofitted frame with the FSD dissipated about
65% of the energy for large amplitude drift cycles (Vera et al. 2000).

Recently, cyclic tests of another device based on the hysteretic behavior of a simply
supported plate of variable section (SSPVS, Figure 7) has been conducted by Vera et al.
(2006) at the University of the State of Mexico (UAEM), showing promising results for the
device, that is proposed to be mounted in braces.

Testing of other passive energy dissipation devices are currently being conducted and some
others are planned, which results will be hopefully presented in the near future.

Figure 6 Testing of FSD (Vera et al. 2000) Figure 7 Testing of SSPVS (Vera et al. 2006)

3. ANALYTICAL RESEARCH

A comprehensive analytical research has been conducted in Mexico during the past 20 years
to study primarily the application of passive energy dissipation in building structures,
particularly for implementation in soft soil conditions as those found in the lakebed zone of
Mexico City. Fewer analytical research has been conducted for base isolation, as the
technology offers no clear advantages for the soft soil conditions of Mexico City.

3.1. Research for Passive Energy Dissipators

The analytical research conducted for passive energy dissipation in Mexico could be
classified in the major topics listed below.

Parametric studies using SDOF systems

Several parametric studies have been conducted using SDOF systems, most of them have
concentrated on studying the impact of using passive energy dissipation devices in structures
located in the soft soil conditions of Mexico City. Among these extensive studies, one can
distinguish the following ones:

(1) The work presented by Gómez-Soberón et al. (1993) where the use of hysteretic passive
energy dissipators is compared with braced-frame systems, a popular structural solution for
midrise and highrise buildings in Mexico City. The study considered ground motions for soft
and firm soils in Mexico City,.

(2) The study presented by Arista and Gómez (1993) to study the torsional response of
structures with hysteretic passive energy dissipators for ground motion records of soft and
firm soil conditions in Mexico City.

(3) The work presented by Arroyo and Terán-Gilmore (2002), where Rμξ factors were
obtained for structures with viscous dampers for soft and firm soil ground records for the
following damping ratios ξ: 0.05, 0.10, 0.20 and 0.3 and the following ductility demands of
the main structural system μ: 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0.

(4) The study of Cabrera and Martínez-Rueda (2001), where the nonlinear response of the
system bracing-hysteretic damper was modeled with an elastic-perfectly plastic system and
the nonlinear response of RC structures was modeled with the hysteretic modeled proposed
by Clough. The study was devoted to defined the balance of stiffness/strength between the
structure and the bracing-dissipator system for a set of 20 ground motion records typical of
firm soils recorded worldwide.

(5) The recent study of Rivera et al. (2006), where an approach was presented for the
determination of seismic response spectra with uniform expected annual failure rates for
single degree-of-freedom systems with energy dissipation devices. Damage was measured
with the Park-Ang damage index. The obtained spectra was compared with those where the
damage is measured in terms of the ratio between demanded and available ductility. The
proposed spectra is potentially useful for design procedures based on reliability and
performance-based objectives.
Studies using MDOF systems

These studies can be grouped as follows:

(1) Studies where the spatial distribution of hysteretic dampers mounted in different bracing
configurations was assessed for model frames when subjected to typical ground motion
records for soft soils in Mexico City (i.e., Ruiz et al. 1995).

(2) Studies where non-invasive bracing systems are used based on the assumption that
rotational hysteretic energy dissipation devices can be developed (Martínez-Rueda 1998,
1999).

(3) Studies where the use of hysteretic passive energy dissipators is compared with
braced-frame systems as a retrofit solution and/or original design for midrise buildings for
soft soil sites of Mexico City using frame models (for example, Jara et al. 1993, Vargas et al.
1995, Ruiz et al. 1996, Limón and Ruiz 1997, Montiel and Ruiz 2000). Recently, Hernández
et al. (2004) presented a study for a relatively tall building (23 stories), where demand
hazard curves and annual failure probabilities were considered in the analyses. They found
that for this building, an improved structural response is obtained using passive energy
dissipation devices (TADAS) rather than traditional bracing systems.

(4) Studies for specific existing buildings in Mexico City where an alternate retrofit using
passive energy dissipation devices is compared with the actual solution used to retrofit the
building (i.e., González-Alcorta and Córdova 1992, Tena-Colunga et al. 1996, Tena-Colunga
and Vergara 1997).

(5) Studies where passive energy dissipation devices are used as the structural solution for
hypothetic buildings (for example, Valles Mattox 1993, Rodríguez and Silva 2001,
Rodríguez and López 2002, Grajales et al. 2003).

(6) Studies for specific buildings in Mexico City retrofitted with passive energy dissipation
devices (i.e., Martínez-Romero 1993 and 1998, Tena-Colunga et al. 1994 and 1995a,
Sánchez and Urrutia 1994, Miranda et al. 1998, Ayala et al. 2000, Martínez-Romero and
Mendez 2004).

(7) Studies where initial costs have been estimated and presented for structures with passive
energy dissipation devices as an original design (i.e., Gómez-Soberón and Vargas 1994, Ruiz
et al. 1996, García-Pérez et al. 2006) or a retrofit scheme (i.e., Tena-Colunga and Vergara
1997).

(8) Studies for viscoelastic devices (Miranda et al. 1998, Rodríguez and Silva 2001) and
viscous dampers (Rodríguez and López 2002, Martínez-Romero and Méndez 2004).

Proposals for the analytical modeling of specific devices

It is very important to provide simple guidelines to engineers on how the size of a given
passive energy dissipation device can be obtained from analysis results, as well as how to
model this hardware for nonlinear analyses. In this regard, the works presented by Aguirre
and Sánchez (1989, 1992), Tena-Colunga (1998, 2000a) and Terrones et al. (2002) have been
very valuable to model the DS device, as well as the model presented by Tena-Colunga
(1997b) to model the ADAS devices using the experimental results of shaking table tests
conducted at the University of California at Berkeley (i.e., Whittaker et al. 1989), the work
presented by Fernández et al. (1999) and Escobar et al. (2002) to help model the DV device
and the recent work of Vera et al. (2006) for the new SSPVS device.

Evaluation and validation of models used for nonlinear analyses

In this regard, Tena-Colunga (1998, 2000a, 2002a) presented a study where the following
aspects were assessed: (1) common analytical models used to study structural systems with
metallic passive energy dissipation devices, (2) the validity of some analytical
simplifications for the non-linear analysis of structures with metallic passive energy
dissipators and, (3) aspects that should be taken into account for the design of structures with
metallic energy dissipators from the structural analysis viewpoint.

Recently, Amateco and Escobar (2006) presented a modified Ramberg-Osgood hysteretic

model to represent the seismic response of structural systems with an energy damper that
considers stiffness and strength degradation and hardening deformation. The modified
parameters for the hysteretic model were obtained from a linear least square adjustment
method. The proposed modified model was compared with a previous proposal presented by
Ozdemir in 1976, obtaining comparable results.

Reliability and optimization of structures with passive energy dissipation devices

Luis Esteva and Sonia Ruiz have lead the research efforts in this direction, from the initial
studies where mathematical models were developed to describe the damage accumulation
and the evolution of the reliability of the system with respect to its seismic history (Ruiz
1998) to studies where design and maintenance criteria has been set for systems with energy
dissipation based on the minimization of the initial cost, maintenance cost and damage (for
example, Esteva et al. 1998, Campos and Esteva 2002).

In a recent work, Esteva et al. (2005) summarized and described the efforts of his research
team, reviewing the criteria and methods to evaluate single-event and life-cycle measures of
system reliability and expected damage. Emphasis was placed on the development of
practical design algorithms that make use of SDOF simplified reference systems to obtain
probabilistic response transformation functions used to estimate peak values of critical
responses of the systems of interest from those calculated with the simplified reference
system. Comments were made about the research and development work needed to obtain
reliability functions for generic types of systems and to apply this information to the
development of practical design algorithms with quantitatively specified reliability targets.

More recently, García-Pérez et al. (2006) presented a study where the optimization process
stated within the framework of minimizing the total cost of a structure, including the initial
cost as well as the retrofit costs due to earthquakes. Initial cost functions were described in
terms of the seismic design coefficient. Vulnerability functions were obtained by analyzing
four different types RC structures with hysteretic energy dissipation devices installed in
braces located in the soft soil conditions of Mexico City. The vulnerability functions together
with the cost analyses performed were used to find cost of damage-seismic intensity
relationships The analyses of their results suggest that the use of systems with energy
dissipation devices lead to a better cost-benefit outcome when high seismic intensities are
expected.

Design procedures and guidelines

General methodologies for the design of structures with energy dissipation devices has been
formally proposed: (1) iterative procedures based on the use of nonlinear dynamic analysis
(i.e., Silva and Ruiz 1993), (2) procedures adapted to the general philosophy of Mexican
seismic guidelines performing static and/or response spectrum analyses (Tena-Colunga
1998), (3) general performance-based strategies (Esteva and Veras 1998, Ruiz and Badillo
2001, Torres and Ruiz 2004), (4) procedures based on reliability and performance-based
objectives (Ruiz 2002, Esteva et al. 2005, Montiel and Ruiz 2006 a/b) and, (5)
displacement-based design procedures (Terán-Gilmore and Virto 2006).

Torres and Ruiz (2004) proposed a design algorithm for the rehabilitation of buildings with
hysteretic energy dissipation devices (EDDs) based on a probabilistic seismic demand
analysis. The acceptance conditions imposed were referred to the maximum story drift
developed by the building under rehabilitation, and to the maximum ductility demanded by
the EDDs. The algorithm, a modification of one previously presented by Ruiz and Badillo
(2001) was successfully applied to a ten-story three-bay reinforced concrete building that is
rehabilitated with the DS device.

The reliability-based design method for the rehabilitation of buildings with

energy-dissipation devices proposed by Montiel and Ruiz (2006 a/b) is formulated within the
Demand and Capacity Factor Design (DCFD) format. The proposed approach is based on
verifying that the confidence levels (associated with the serviceability and the life safety
states) corresponding to the rehabilitated structure are equal to or larger than the confidence
levels associated with a similar conventional structure which is designed in accordance with
a reference seismic design code. The criterion was illustrated with a 5-story building
hypothetically rehabilitated with TADAS energy-dissipation devices.

The displacement-based methodology presented by Terán-Gilmore and Virto (2006) is

performance-based design oriented for structural systems with unbonded braces. The
proposed methodology was formulated for low-rise structures, whose behavior is not
significantly influenced by global flexural behavior. The methodology was calibrated with
the theoretical seismic design of a five-story building located in the lakebed of Mexico City
(soft soil conditions). From the evaluation of the global mechanical characteristics of the
building and of its seismic performance when subjected to ground motions generated in that
zone, it was concluded that the proposed simplified methodology is adequate.

Studies for bridges

Álvarez et al. (2005) presented a parametric study where the nonlinear seismic response of a
concrete deck-type arch bridge with fluid viscous dampers (FVDs) subjected to a set of 10
ground motions was assessed. The selected ground motions were typical of hard soil sites
and the main horizontal and the vertical ground components were used in the study. All the
horizontal ground motion records were scaled to have a peak ground acceleration of 0.5g,
and the scale factor used for the horizontal component was also used for the corresponding
vertical component. The parametric study was aimed to identify optimum dampers. FVDs
were placed at both ends of the deck connecting the superstructures with the abutments. The
study showed the advantages of using FVDs in the reduction of the seismic response of a
long-span arch bridge subjected to major earthquakes. It is possible to get good solutions for
a large range of possible combinations of FVDs parameters, but an efficient solution can be
achieved for nonlinear FVDs with n=0.5.

3.2. Research for Base Isolation

The analytical research conducted for base isolation in Mexico could be classified in the
following major topics listed below.

Studies for buildings using equivalent SDOF models

Silva (2005) presented the bases to determine the random response of buildings with
pendular base-isolation system (the “knuckle-damping pendular system” in particular)
subjected to strong earthquakes using the non-Gaussian equivalent linearization approach.
The used structural model is a single degree of freedom non-linear oscillator with mass equal
to the total mass of building and with the properties of damping forces and restoring forces
corresponding to those of the isolation pendular system. The precision of proposed
non-Gaussian equivalent linearization approach was evaluated with Monte Carlo simulation
results, finding a good agreement between both methods.

Studies for buildings using equivalent frame models

The pioneering study in this regard was the one presented by Sosa and Ruiz (1992), where
representative four-story RC frames conventionally designed were compared with frames
designed to have metallic base isolators of bilinear behavior (k2=0.01), calculating initial
costs of construction for (1) A firm soil condition in Acapulco and, (2) a near-firm soil
(“transition”) soil condition in Mexico City. The initial cost analysis reported that the cost of
the main structural system for the base-isolated projects was 52.5% to 60.5% higher than for
the traditional design, but this cost could be reduced to 5.2% to 6.3% when the cost of
nonstructural elements and equipment were included. Nonlinear time-history analyses were
done using the original DRAIN-2D software, showing that base-isolated projects lead the
structure above the isolation system to an elastic response, whereas the fixed-base design
frames developed important yielding in the beams, particularly for the records of Acapulco.

About the same time, González-Alcorta and Noguez (1994) studied the response of a nine
story RC building isolated with LRB when subjected acceleration records of: (1) firm soil
conditions (1940 El Centro), (2) near-firm (“transition”) soil conditions of Mexico City and,
(3) soft-soil sites of Mexico City (1985 SCT record, E-W component). The DRAIN-2D
software was used for the simulations. The study showed the adequacy of base-isolation for
firm and near-firm soil conditions, but the great disadvantages for the soft soil conditions of
Mexico City.

Recently, Silva and Garza Tamez (2004) presented an analytical study where a 20-story
frame model where the “knuckle-damping pendular system” described lines below is used as
the isolation system. The original frame has a period T=1.94s and the base-isolated structure
has period TI=5.56s. The structure was hypothetically located at Mexico City and was
subjected to the well-known set of ground motions recorded at SCT during the September 19,
1985 earthquake (Ms=8.1). Very important reductions are obtained analytically for this
example and are optimistically reported and are a consequence of leading the structure to a
period range where small demands are expected. However, one has to bear in mind that
differential settlements in the soft soils of Mexico City are a very important aspect to
evaluate for potential base-isolation projects in that region of the city and they were not
accounted for in the numerical simulations, as soil-structure interaction were not included
even in a simplified manner.

Studies for buildings using 3D models

Tena-Colunga et al. (1995b, 1997a) started an analytical research project to assess the
advantages of base isolation for original design and retrofit of structures in regions of high
seismic hazard in Mexico. The project is assessing the effectiveness of some commercial
base isolators such as LRB, HSD and FP in reducing the seismic response of typical building
structures of the Mexican Pacific Coast when subjected to ground motions of rock, firm and
near-firm soil conditions recorded during moderate and strong earthquakes in this region.
The studied structural systems are hotel (2), school (5), apartment (2) and office (2)
buildings, whose configurations correspond to existing building structures. The subject,
hypothetical buildings were designed both as base-isolated structures and traditional
fixed-base structures founded on the hard soil conditions.

The study confirmed many findings published in the literature regarding the effectiveness of
base isolation in reducing drift and shear forces in the structure above the isolation system.
However, the study also showed that the dynamic stability of LRB isolators is not always
achieved using rational design procedures as those proposed at the times (i.e., Clark et al.
1993) using 3-D time-history analyses using bidirectional acceleration input for the design
earthquake. According to Clark et al. (1993), severe events should be used for the design of
the superstructure and isolators, whereas minor events should be used to check that
non-structural damage may not occur during low levels of earthquake shaking.
Tena-Colunga et al. (1995b, 1997a) found that the dynamic stability and the design of base
isolators can be controlled by epicentral acceleration records (near fault strong motions)
associated to moderate earthquakes, as unstable behavior was assessed for many isolators for
the buildings designed with the records for the “design” earthquake. Also, the study showed
that more refined design methods were needed for isolated structures with strong torsional
responses to prevent or diminish the torsional response on the LRB isolation system.

Tena-Colunga (1996) presented an analytical study were base-isolation was evaluated as a

seismic retrofit strategy for typical designs of three-story and four-story public school
buildings of Mexico built in the 1960s and 1970s. The study found that base isolation was
very effective for the retrofit of existing school buildings in hard soil conditions, such as the
Mexican Pacific Coast and the hill zone of Mexico City. However, base isolation was
inappropriate for the retrofit of structures in the soft-soils of Mexico City's lake-bed region,
in agreement with the findings reported earlier by González-Alcorta and Noguez (1994).

González-Herrera et al. (2005) presented a theoretical application for the design of

base-isolated hotel complex (three buildings, five stories) using lead-rubber bearings for
Tapachula, Chiapas, located in the Mexican Pacific Coast. The base-isolated design was
compared with a conventional non-isolated design. SAP-2000 software was used for design
and comparison purposes. Obtained results confirmed the benefits of base-isolation to obtain
improved structural performance.

Studies for bridges

García-Domínguez et al. (1997) presented an analytical study where they assessed the
adequacy of using rubber bearings in RC urban and highway bridges of Mexico, including
the impact of eccentric live loads due to traffic. The considered urban bridge had three spans,
being midspan the largest with 40 m of length between supporting piles. The highway bridge
had also three spans of about 37 m each. The three components of acceleration for the
Zacatula station (Guerrero State) recorded in hard soil conditions during the September 19,
1985 earthquake were used for the simulations. Among other findings, the described study
found base-isolation very effective to maintain the structural components of the bridges
under study in the elastic range. The authors make an important remark about the sensitivity
of the results obtained for the analytical models regarding the assumption made to model
supporting conditions at bridge abutments and at the piles. They suggested to conduct
parametric studies where the following variables should be assessed: (1) number and length
of spans and (2) the height of supporting piles.

García-Kong et al. (1998) compared the seismic response of three-spanned highway brides
with and without LRB. They used unidirectional input for the following records: (a) Foster
City (firm soil, October 17, 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake), (b) Palm Springs Airport (firm
soils, July 8,1986 earthquake) and (c) SCT (soft soils, September 19, 1985 earthquake). The
study confirmed the advantages of using base isolation for firm soils, and the great
disadvantages of using base isolation on soft soils, where dynamic instability of the isolators
is usually achieved because of the amplified displacement demands on them.

Jara and Casas (2002, 2005) presented a displacement-based design procedure for bridges
supported on bilinear isolation bearings. The proposed method pay particular attention on the
control of the material’s strain, by controlling the lateral top displacement of the pile and of
the shear displacement of the bearing. The response is estimated directly from the elastic
displacement response spectra by use of an effective period and equivalent viscous damping,
and is applicable to regular bridges with rigid superstructures.

Olmos et al. (2003) as well as Jara and Martínez (2005) presented a parametric study
devoted to characterize isolators parameters for bridges with 25-40 m spans to lead
abutments and piers to elastic responses. They used the following set of acceleration records
registered in firm soil sites: UNIO and CALE for the September 19, 1985 earthquake
(Ms=8.1) and TMANZ for the October 9, 1995 Manzanillo earthquake (Mw=8.0). The results
of their study lead them to conclude that in order to obtain elastic responses for abutments
and piers, the lateral stiffness of isolators must be less than half the lateral stiffness of the
bridge, regardless of the bridge/isolation system strength ratio they considered.

Studies for existing applications

Sosa and Ruiz (1992) presented an analytical study for the school building in Mexico City
isolated with the rolling base-isolation device proposed by Gonzalez-Flores (Figure 8).

Garza-Tamez and Foutch (1994) described the isolation of the floor slab supporting the
printing press of the Reforma Newspaper in Mexico City (Figure 9), located in near-firm soil
conditions. The natural period of the isolated floor slab is 6.0 seconds. Later on Silva and
Garza-Tamez (2004) presented the acceleration records obtained during the June 15, 1999
Tehuacán earthquake (M=6.5) at the ground floor and the top of the printing press of the
Reforma Newspaper in Mexico City. Whereas the peak ground acceleration was 21 cm/s2,
the peak acceleration at the top of the printing press machine was about 4 cm/s2.

Figure 8 Legaria School isolated with a rolling base-isolation system (“Karl Steinbrugge” 2007)

Garza-Tamez and Silva (1999) presented the design of the GT-BIS isolation system for the
press building of the Mural Newspaper in Guadalajara, the first application of the GT-BIS
system to isolate a building structure (Figure 10). The design was checked with a in-situ
pushover test described in Silva and Garza-Tamez (2004), where it is reported a good
correlation between the design parameters and those obtained in the field.

Figure 9 Isolation of Reforma´s printing press Figure 10 Isolation of Mural Newspaper with
with GT-BIS (photo courtesy of GT-BIS (photo courtesy of Federico
Federico Garza-Tamez) Garza-Tamez)
Gómez et al. (2001, 2002) presented the research study conducted to implement base
isolators in the old truss bridge that cross Infiernillo Dam in Michoacán State (Figure 11a),
the first application of base isolation in a highway bridge in Mexico. The device used to
isolate Infiernillo Dam Bridge was a multi-rotational sliding bearing tested at MCEER
(Figure 11b). The selected isolation system lead to reduced shear forces and displacements
for the piers and the deck. Later on, Rodríguez et al. (2003) presented a parametric study of
this isolated bridge where the point concentration statistical method was used to assess the
impact of uncertainties in the properties of the isolation system in peak dynamic responses
for the bridge. This study confirmed that expected variations of peak dynamic responses in
abutments and piles are well covered by the design.
g

a) Infiernillo Dam Bridge layout b) multi-rotational sliding bearing

Figure 11 Isolation of Infiernillo Dam Bridge (photo and image courtesy of Roberto Gómez)

Studies for new developments

Garza-Tamez (1997) presented an analytical study for a new isolation device named “the
knuckle-damping pendular system” (KDPS) (Figure 12), a simplified, squatty version of the
GT-BIS system where the damping action is exclusively supplied by the two knuckles of
every pendular tension member. This system offers advantageous geometry for the isolation
of buildings and bridges and highway overpasses.

Figure 13 Flexible columns system proposed by Carrillo (2005)

Figure 12 Knuckle-damping
pendular system

Zamorano and Ortiz (2001) presented an analytical study proposing a new isolation device
based in sliding rollers and steel tensors. The study provides extensive theoretical
development and a design example. The proposed isolation system offers the theoretical
advantage of taking tension forces at the isolation interface.

Carrillo (2005) presented conceptually the characteristics of two seismic isolation systems:
(1) one consisting to build flexible columns made with steel, polyethylene and rubber at
basement of buildings (Figure 13), and (2) a pneumatic suspension system with four
compressed air rooms at building’s basement. He provided theoretical designs for a 23 story
hotel building at Tecomán, Colima, including costs analysis. While the conceptual
development is interesting, serious experimental research is first needed to validate their
application to real buildings.

Design procedures and guidelines

Tena-Colunga et al. (1995b) started the research efforts conducted in Mexico to develop
seismic guidelines for the design of base-isolated structures which were presented in 2004
(Tena-Colunga 2004) and are summarized elsewhere (Tena-Colunga 2005).

The proposed guidelines are based on the seismic provisions of Mexican seismic codes and
their philosophy, but include several recommendations available for base-isolated structures
in the UBC-97 and IBC-2000 seismic codes of the United States. For that purpose, it was
very important to adapt and calibrate static (Gómez-Soberón 1996, Tena-Colunga 1997a,
Tena-Colunga et al. 1997b) and dynamic (Villegas-Jiménez and Tena-Colunga 2000) design
procedures for base-isolated structures, where additional requirements were added to account
for regional seismicity and structural irregularities. For example, the proposed basic equation
for the design displacement of base isolators was obtained from displacement design spectra
(DDS). The DDS were computed using basic probabilistic and statistical criteria based on
displacement response spectra of several ground motions recorded at stations located on rock
sites of the strong-motion database for Mexican earthquakes. Finally, new provisions were
derived from original research on the torsional response for base-isolated structures and
orthogonal effects, as described later.

Gómez-Soberón et al. (2005a, 2006) have recently presented updated attenuation laws in
acceleration, velocity and displacement for subduction earthquakes of the Mexican Pacific
Coast. These attenuation laws are needed to improve the design spectra of the proposed
Mexican guidelines for base-isolated structures, as these relationships are the required first
step to define later uniform hazard spectra for displacements (isolation system) and
accelerations (structure above the isolation system). These work will be extremely useful to
define design spectra for base-isolated structures for the updated version of the Manual of
Civil Structures to be published tentatively in 2008.

Tena-Colunga (2000b, 2001, 2002b) presented a design procedure for base-isolated

structures based on the concept of constant strength design spectra (CSDS). This concept
was proposed for structures using isolators with a bilinear hysteretic behavior. The CSDS is
plotted in tetra logarithmic scale and relate peak accelerations, velocities, displacements and
effective isolated natural periods for bilinear systems with a given yield strength and post
yield stiffness. CSDS is useful for the design of base isolators with bilinear hysteretic
behavior, as these devices can be designed for fixed yield strength and post yield stiffness.
The concept of CSDS and its application for the design of base isolated structures was
illustrated with case studies of specific structures. It is planned to build CSDS for the
updated version of the Manual of Civil Structures.

Parametric studies

Parametric studies for base-isolated structures in Mexico could be grouped as listed below.

Torsional response

During the development of guidelines for the seismic design of base isolated structures for
Mexico it was considered to be very important that they were compatible with the general
design philosophy of the seismic codes of Mexico. Therefore, from the torsional response
viewpoint, defining specific target values for static eccentricities for the superstructure (es)
and for the isolation system (eb) was crucial. These target values would allow to determine
when expected design displacements for the isolation system associated with the guidelines
are not well covered as compared to rigorous nonlinear dynamic analyses. These target
values are needed to restrict the use of static or simplified dynamic methods of analysis and
design. A comprehensive

Given that: (1) there were relatively few research studies available in the literature where the
torsional response of base-isolated structures had been previously reported and, (2) most of
referred studies were done for a reduced number of effective periods for base-isolated
structures, therefore, comprehensive parametric studies covering the period range 1.5s≤TI≤3s,
were conducted. These parametric studies were of utmost importance for the seismic design
of base-isolated structures from a code development viewpoint.

Initial studies covered the cases where mass eccentricities were set in the superstructure
(Tena-Colunga and Gómez-Soberón 2001, 2002) and in the isolation system (Tena-Colunga
and Zambrana-Rojas, 2004, 2006). Despite the fact that the described research was extensive,
additional parametric studies were needed to evaluate the impact of other two important
parameters.

First, it was necessary to assess the impact in torsional amplifications of the TI/Ts ratio, a
recognized important parameter for the design of base-isolated structures. For example, it is
recommended in the New Zealand practice that the effective period of the isolated structure
at the design displacement, TI, should be greater than two times the elastic, fixed-base period
of the structure above the isolation system, Ts, this is, TI/Ts ≥ 2, whereas in U.S. guidelines it
is required that TI/Ts ≥ 3 in order to use the static method for seismic analysis. Second, it was
important to assess for the period range of interest and different TI/Ts ratios the relative
differences in the torsional amplifications when asymmetries in the superstructure are due to:
(a) mass eccentricities or, b) stiffness eccentricities.

Therefore, Tena-Colunga and Escamilla-Cruz (2005, 2007) presented a study devoted to

assess the impact of the parameters described above in helpful design parameters for
isolators, such as: (1) displacement ductility demands, (2) peak displacements, (3)
amplification factors due to bidirectional seismic input (with respect to unidirectional input)
and, (4) amplification factors because of bidirectional eccentricity (with respect to
unidirectional eccentricity).

From all the described studies, the following general observations could be drawn for the
period range of interest: (1) higher torsional amplification exist in base-isolated structures
with mass eccentricities in the superstructure than in base-isolated structures with stiffness
eccentricities in the superstructure and (2) the worst source for torsional response of
base-isolated structures are eccentricities in the isolation system, as they lead to the highest
torsional amplifications.

Directional effects

Tena-Colunga and Pérez-Osornio (2006 a/b) presented a parametric study devoted to study
the statistical response of displacement amplifications factors due to orthogonal effects
(Δ2D/Δ1D ratios) for linear-elastic and bilinear isolation systems. The study considered
acceleration records for 13 subduction earthquakes (M ≥ 6.4) of the Mexican Pacific Coast
recorded in rock or firm soils during the past 20 years. An effective period range for
base-isolated structures between 1.5 and 3.0 seconds (1.5 s ≤ TI ≤ 3.0 s) was considered.

The parametric study was rigorous with the selection criteria, filtering and scaling of the
acceleration data base,. For linear-elastic isolators, a data base composed of 154 pairs of
acceleration records was used. For bilinear isolators, 73 to 135 pairs of acceleration records
fulfilled the criteria when scaling to the design spectra for zones D-I, C-I and B-I of
MOC-93 code.

It was shown from the results of the parametric study that the mean values for the Δ2D/Δ1D
ratios for linear-elastic and bilinear isolators are not constant and they depend on the period
and the mechanical characteristics for the isolators. Also, for bilinear isolators it was found
that the Δ2D/Δ1D amplification factors increase as the isolation system has a higher
displacement response (lower yield strength, Vy/W).

In general, displacement amplification factors due to orthogonal effects (Δ2D/Δ1D ratios)

corresponding to mean values (σ) are always below the 100%+30% combination rule for the
entire period range for both linear-elastic and bilinear isolators. However, the curves for the
mean plus one standard deviation (σ + Sdev) of the Δ2D/Δ1D ratios surpass the 100%+30%
combination rule for the entire period range for linear-elastic isolators, and depending on the
yield strength (Vy/W) and the seismic zone under consideration, they can also surpass the
100%+30% combination rule for bilinear isolators.

Based on the extensive parametric study, it was found that the mean values of Δ2D/Δ1D ratios
may depend on other factors such as the magnitude for the earthquake (explored) or the
earthquake source mechanism (not explored). Therefore, more extensive studies with
considerably larger databases are needed in order to discern if there is a relationship between
Δ2D/Δ1D ratios and the magnitude for the earthquake or the earthquake source mechanism,
and to study the impact of near fault strong motions of large magnitude earthquakes.

Variations of properties for base-isolated structural systems

Gómez-Soberón et al. (2005b) presented a parametric study where variations of structural

properties for base-isolated structures were assessed using Monte Carlo simulations when
subjected the models to bidirectional horizontal ground motions recorded in firm soil sites
during the 1985 Michoacán (UNIO and AZIH) and 1995 Manzanillo (TMANZ) Mexican
earthquakes.

The following random variables were considered for the isolation system: (1) effective
damping ratio ζΙ, (2) effective base-isolated period TI, (3), shear yield strength ratio for the
isolation system (βΙ=VI/W), (4) shear modulus for elastomeric bearings (G), (5) aspect ratio
for elastomeric bearings (height/diameter, φ/h), (6) α the ratio between the effective stiffness
of the isolation system at the design displacement (keff) and the effective stiffness at 20
percent of the design displacement (keff2) and, (7) the orthogonal displacement rule
combination proposed by Tena-Colunga (2004 and 2005).

The following random variables were considered for the concentric braced frame structure
above the isolation system: (1) compressive strength and elastic modulus for reinforced
concrete elements (f´c and Ec), (2) yield strength and elastic modulus for steel elements (fy
and Es), (3) cross section dimensions for the rectangular reinforced concrete elements (b, h)
and, (4) cross section dimensions for the steel braces of square box section (h, t). Also, the
live load intensity was modeled as a random variable.

More than 500 plausible models were obtained under all the considered random variables.
From all the simulations considering the set of bidirectional ground motions it was obtained
that the coefficient of variation (Sdev/σ): (1) ranged from 0.18 to 0.23 for the peak
displacement for the isolation system, (2) ranged from 0.11 to 0.18 for the peak roof
displacement for the structure above the isolation system and, (3) ranged from 0.10 to 0.16
for the base shear transmitted to the superstructure by the isolation system.

4. APPLICATIONS

4.1. Applications in Mexico

Up to date, there have been more practical applications for passive energy dissipation
devices (25 buildings in total) than for base isolation (six applications) in Mexico, as
summarized in Tables 1 and 2.

Table 1 Base isolation projects built in Mexico

Project Name Type Isolation System Place Year
Legaria Secondary School Building (N) Rollers by Mexico City 1974
González-Flores
Legaria Church Building (N) Rollers by Mexico City 1980
González-Flores
Hidalgo-San Rafael Bridge Bridge (N) LRB Mexico-Querétaro 1994
Highway
Printing press of the Machinery- GT-BIS Mexico City 1994
Reforma Newspaper Equipment (N)
Mural Newspaper Building (N) GT-BIS Guadalajara 1998
Infiernillo Dam Bridge Bridge (R) Multi-rotational Infiernillo Dam, 2002
sliding bearings Michoacán
N = new project, R = retrofit project

There are only six confirmed applications for base isolation in Mexico, and most of them
have been for new (original) projects, mostly using devices developed by Mexican engineers
(Table 1). The three projects in Mexico City were built in near-hard soil conditions (known
as “transition soils” by Mexican engineers). The most recent confirmed application is the
base-isolation retrofit project for the Infiernillo Dam in 2002 (Figure 11, Gómez et al. 2001
and 2002, Rodríguez et al. 2003), There are some rumors (not confirmed yet) of three base
isolation projects planned (being constructed) for the city of Tijuana, California (neighboring
city to San Diego, California, United States). There is one very important project to isolate
the dome of the new Catholic Basilica of Guadalajara City using lead-rubber bearings, but
for some unknown reasons the project has not been started yet.

Regarding passive energy dissipation, it can be observed from Table 2 that all the
applications in Mexico are in Mexico City (16 buildings) and Acapulco (9 buildings). From
all the applications, 14 correspond to retrofit projects and 9 are for new buildings. The most
common energy dissipation device used in Mexico has been the ADAS device (16 buildings),
although applications for the Taylor dampers are starting to come true.

Table 2 Passive energy dissipation projects built in Mexico

Building Name Type & Device Place Year
Number
Izazaga 38-40 Retrofit (1) ADAS Mexico City 1989
Cardiology Hospital Retrofit (1) ADAS Mexico City 1990
20 de Noviembre Hospital Retrofit (5) SBC (Slotted Bolted Mexico City 1992-1994
Connections)
IMSS Headquarters Retrofit (3) ADAS Mexico City 1993-1997
(Reforma 476)
3M Headquarters New (1) Viscoelastic Dampers Mexico City 1996-1997
(VED)
TMM Warehouse New (3) ADAS Acapulco 1997
SAGAR Retrofit (1) DV Mexico City 1999
La Jolla New (3) ADAS Acapulco 1999
Torre Monterrey Retrofit (1) ADAS Mexico City 2002
Torre Mayor New (1) Taylor Mexico City 2003
Córdoba Retrofit (1) ADAS Mexico City 2004
Romanza New (1) ADAS Acapulco 2005
Nautilus New (1) ADAS Acapulco 2005
Fray Servando Retrofit (1) Taylor Mexico City 2005
Mar Azul New (1) ADAS Acapulco 2006
Total of buildings 25

Figure 14 Retrofit of Cardiology Hospital with ADAS devices

 Figure 15 Retrofit of 20 de Noviembre Hospital with SBC

Figure 16 Retrofit of IMSS Headquarters with ADAS devices

Figure 17 3M Headquarters with Viscoelastic dampers

Figure 18 SAGAR building with DV devices (photos courtesy of Raúl Jean and Gustavo Ayala)
 Figure 19 La Jolla Apartments at Acapulco with ADAS devices (photos courtesy of EMRSA)

Figure 20 Retrofit of Torre Monterrey with ADAS devices (photos courtesy of EMRSA)

Figure 21 Torre Mayor at Mexico City with Taylor dampers (photos courtesy of EMRSA)

The most recent confirmed application of passive energy dissipation devices in Mexico is the
Mar Azul apartment building project with ADAS devices at Acapulco (Figure 22), which
construction started in 2005 and finished in 2006. There are some rumors (not confirmed yet)
of at least three new building projects with ADAS and Taylor devices for the Punta Diamante
district at Acapulco.

Figure 22 Mar Azul Apartments at Acapulco with ADAS devices

4.2. Applications in other Latin-American Countries

There are already some applications in other Latin-American countries, some of them are
projects of Mexican engineering firms. For example, in 2001 Enrique Martínez-Romero and
his engineering firm EMRSA built in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the Intercentro
Building, a slender steel building with Taylor dampers (Figure 23). Also, Martínez-Romero
designed the retrofit for the 18-story Centro Administrativo Distrital building at Bogotá,
Colombia using Taylor dampers (Martínez-Romero and Méndez 2004).

Figure 23 Intercentro Building at Santo Domingo with Taylor dampers (photos courtesy of EMRSA)

There are other applications, for example the Canadian Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia has
Pall devices. The author is aware of a base-isolation project in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, as
well as a base-isolation project in San Juan, Argentina with GERB devices. Chile has already
several base-isolation projects in buildings and bridges and few applications of passive
energy dissipation devices which will be reported by Chilean colleagues.
5. CONCLUDING REMARKS

Mexico has already an important research experience in passive energy dissipation and
seismic isolation. However, the number of applications is relatively small for the size of the
country and the knowledge that Mexican structural engineers already have in this area.

As in many other countries, it seems that the absence of an official building code that
addresses completely the design of base-isolation and energy dissipation brakes potential
applications. Although there are already complete guidelines available (Ruiz 2002,
Tena-Colunga 2004, 2005), they are not yet included in the most important building codes,
such as Mexico’s Federal District Code (RCDF) or the Manual of Civil Structures (MOC).
The updated version for the Manual of Civil Structures (MOC) will include specific
guidelines for the design of structures with passive energy dissipation devices and base
isolation. This updated version is in progress and is scheduled to be presented in 2008. It is
hoped that the updated version for MOC will help trigger applications of passive energy
dissipation within the country, as currently there are only applications mostly in Mexico City,
Acapulco and Guadalajara.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The information presented in this paper has been possible with the cooperation of many
colleagues, who have shared photos and information with the author for long time ago.
Therefore, I want to thank Enrique Martínez-Romero (in-memoriam) and César Méndez of
EMRSA, Federico Garza-Tamez, Ricardo González-Alcorta, Roberto Gómez, Sergio
Alcocer, Sonia E. Ruiz, Gustavo Ayala, Raúl Jean and José A. Escobar.

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