A SCALABLE APPROACH TO THE DESIGN OF A 3D-PRINTABLE SLIDING-STRETCHING SEISMIC ISOLATOR

We present a scalable approach to the design of a novel seismic isolator recently appeared in the literature, which features a unit cell composed of a central post that can slide against a base plate. Such a post carries the vertical load and is connected to four corner posts through stretchable “tendons” attached to rigid “limb” members. The bio-inspired, sliding-stretching isolator under examination is easily assembled in a fabrication lab making use of 3D-printed components and metallic parts manufactured by online and/or local suppliers. This article illustrates a scalable design approach that permits to size the components of the system according to the design values of the vertical load and the lateral displacement capacity. It is accompanied by a cost-analysis comparing the estimated cost of the proposed device with the costs of standard seismic isolators currently available on the market.