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These
schematics show the nonlinear
finite
element computer model of a
floor isolation system. |
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| What design parameters
should be considered? |
Buildings are typically designed
for the code-defined Design
Base Earthquake (DBE). The
same hazard level is typically
appropriate for design of
the Floor Isolation System.
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In
cases of very high-value contents
or equipment to be protected,
or when continuous post-earthquake
operation is necessary, larger
design earthquakes, and maximum
acceptable acceleration limits,
should also be considered. Design
earthquakes will be in the range
of 6 to 8 on the Richter Scale. |
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| What is involved
with structural modeling? |
The
response of a particular building
and its contents to an earthquake
is unique because the structure
modifies and filters the earthquake
input. |
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Factors
that influence floor accelerations
in a building include the structural
type, the location within the
building, the soil type and
the proximity to faults. Due
to the uniqueness of these variables,
specific design of a floor system
is required. We will work with
your engineer or can provide
this service through our consultants. |
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A
nonlinear time history analysis
is used to model the floor system's
performance. Our Floor Isolation
System can be readily tailored
to meet the design requirements. |
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| Why is engineering
required? |
Demands
on each floor in the building can be accurately
determined only by proper analysis and engineering.
For example, the accelerations in even a
three-story building may vary by a factor
of three from the ground to third level. |
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| Should earthquakes smaller than
a DBE be considered? |
Small earthquakes
can be resisted simply by anchoring contents
to the floors and walls. In addition, equipment
such as computers are designed to accommodate
accelerations caused by smaller earthquakes. |
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| Should a Floor Isolation
System be installed in a base
isolated building? |
No.
A base isolated structure already
provides superior content protection.
Isolation of floors and buildings
involves lengthening their natural
shaking period. As both systems
have similar frequencies, resonance
between the two systems will
generally give poorer performance
than either system on its own. |
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| Installation considerations |
| The
DIS Isolated Floor System will
typically displace from 8 to
24 inches horizontally, depending
on the severity of shaking.
The floor system can be configured
to be continuous to the walls
of the room in which it is installed,
in which case a closure assembly
is provided around the perimeter
of the floor. Alternately, the
floor system can be detailed
as a stand-alone unit with an
edge closure. Adequate space
is available beneath the floor
to accommodate utilities and
ductwork. |
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| What was our first
Floor isolation project? |
Dynamic
Isolation Systems’ first
floor isolation project was
the King County Emergency Center
in Seattle. The floor system
protects communications equipment
comprises a post-tensioned concrete
floor isolated with lead rubber
isolators and roller bearings.
The new DIS Floor Isolation
System is a lightweight solution
that allows its application
on any floor of a building. |
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| What is unique about
the DIS Floor Isolation System? |
The
DIS Isolated Floor System features
a special multi-dimensional
spring unit with very low stiffness.
This allows buiding contents
which are relatively lightweight
to be effectively isolated.
The unique combination of sliders
and roller supports, along with
the multi-dimenional spring
units, allows the system stiffness
and damping properties to be
tuned for each application. |
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| Other Applications |
| Our special multi-directional
spring unit allows us to directly
isolate a wide range of lightweight
objects and equipment. DIS offers
a complete range of seismic isolation
devices suitable for protecting
the lightest equipment to the
heaviest and largest structures. |
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