Comparison of adaptive magnetorheological elastomer isolator and elastomeric isolator in near-field and far-field earthquakes

Magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) materials are widely used in the development of smart isolators and absorbers due to their stiffness and damping adaptability. This study investigates the performance of MRE isolators and elastomeric isolators from near-field and far-field earthquakes in benchmark base isolation buildings. All earthquakes are simultaneously applied in two horizontal directions to the horizontal plan. Vertical earthquakes are not attended in the dynamical analysis of benchmark base isolation buildings. For making an isolator model, the effect of bilateral interaction has been considered. The behaviors of MRE isolators and MR dampers are compared. To this end, three control systems including adaptive isolator, passive isolator and semi-active MR damper are considered. The results show that the MRE isolator has a better performance in near-field earthquakes due to its variable stiffness and damping, as compared to the elastomeric isolator. The semi-active MR damper for both far-field and near-field earthquakes has a better control to reduce base displacement, but causes to increase floor accelerations, story drifts and story shear. According to the results of this study, it can be observed that MRE isolator can be used instead of MR damper. The MRE isolator can reduce the base displacement without increasing other responses.