Double rolling isolation systems: A mathematical model and experimental validation

• A double rolling isolation system for seismic protection is proposed.
• The stacked system has greater displacement capacity than that of its subsystems alone.
• We model the non-linearly coupled dynamics of double rolling isolation systems.
• The model is validated via comparisons with experimentally measurements.

Rolling isolation systems (RISs) protect fragile building contents from earthquake hazards by decoupling horizontal floor motions from the horizontal responses of the isolated object. The RISs in use today have displacement capacities of about 20 cm. This displacement capacity can be increased by stacking two systems. This paper presents and evaluates a complete non-linear model of the coupled dynamics of double RISs. The model is derived through the fundamental form of Lagrange׳s equation and involves the non-holonomic constraints of spheres rolling between non-parallel surfaces. The derivation requires the use of two translating and rotating reference frames. The proposed model is validated through comparisons between experimentally measured and numerically predicted time histories and peak response quantities—total acceleration and relative displacement. The effects of the initial conditions, the mass of the isolated object, and the amplitude and period of the disturbance on the system׳s performance are assessed.