Even though seismic isolation is growing very rapidly, data on response of isolated structures to actual earthquakes is still lacking. This research helps fill this void by using isolation systems in a full-size building and obtaining data on relative response between isolated and nonisolated structures. This latter benefit results from the unique design of the test facility, located at Tohoku University near Sendai, Japan. The test facility consists of two identical full-size three-story buildings built side by side, except that one structure is seismically isolated and the other is not. The facility is easily adapted to use a variety of isolation systems. Since Sendai is a very seismically active area, considerable data can be obtained in a short period of time. This research program will use base isolation systems (at Sendai) for which bearings have been extensively tested in the laboratory. The research project results provide sets of data of individual bearings in an actual building. The system response of the adjacent nonisolated structure provides data for comparative purposes.
