14.13. Frequency Matching and Base Isolation

Try these first

1. 1.

   What do base isolation systems do?

   Hint

   Think about how they protect buildings during earthquakes.

2. 2.

   Why is avoiding resonance important?

   Hint

   Consider what happens when frequencies match.

3. 3.

   What is the purpose of base isolation systems?

   • To increase mass
   • To decouple a building from ground motion
   • To strengthen materials

   Hint

   Think about how they allow buildings to behave differently than the ground.

4. 4.

   True or False: Frequency matching can enhance the performance of a building during an earthquake.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider the relationship between external forces and a structure's natural frequency.

5. 5.

   Given a scenario where a building's natural frequency is similar to the earthquake frequency of 2 Hz, propose a design modification to ensure safety during an earthquake.

   Hint

   Think about how structural modifications can change frequency.

6. 6.

   Assess the effectiveness of a base isolation system on a structure that sustained minor damages during an earthquake. Which factors might indicate its importance?

   Hint

   Consider how resonant effects are minimized.