CURVED SURFACE SLIDERS S04

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CURVED SURFACE SLIDERS

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 SCHEME FIP-D

Schematic drawing for FIP-D isolator with four upper/lower dowels

Schematic drawing for FIP-D isolator with eight or more upper/lower dowels

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• CASTEL DI SANGRO, ITALY - private building

10
 INTRODUCTION
CERTIFICATIONS

In the framework of the enforcement of the European Construction Products Directive, FIP MEC has gained the
CE marking of different types of anti-seismic devices, including curved surface sliders, in accordance with the
harmonised European Standard EN 15129:2009 Anti-seismic devices.

BIM READY
The use of shared digital representations to facilitate the design, construction and operation of a structure is the
starting point for a reliable and interactive decision-making process which allows municipalities, private clients,
contractors and designers to rule all their choices.
FIP MEC is able to provide BIM models – according to IFC standard – to its Clients in such a way to support
the communication, cooperation, simulation and improvement of a project through the whole design life of the
built or building structure.

DESCRIPTION
The curved surface sliders or Friction Isolation Pendula (FIP) are sliding isolators based on the working principle
of the simple pendulum. In a structure that is isolated by means of curved surface sliders, the period of oscillation
mainly depends on the radius of curvature of the curved sliding surface, i.e. it is almost independent from the
mass of the structure. The energy dissipation is provided by the friction encountered during the movement of
the sliding surfaces, and the re-centring capability is provided by the curvature of the sliding surface.

The Friction Isolation Pendulum can be designed and manufactured in two main types, with one or two
primary spherical sliding surfaces that accomodate the horizontal displacement, respectively classified as FIP
or +FIP-D series as follows.

The FIP series devices are characterised by: i) a concave slider (top
element in the picture) whose radius of curvature imposes the period
of oscillation and that accomodates for the horizontal displacement;
ii) a base element with a secondary concave sliding surface that
permits the rotation; iii) a steel intermediate element with two convex
surfaces suitably shaped to be coupled with the other two elements.
The device can also be installed upside-down, i.e. with the main
concave slider at the bottom.
The FIP-D series or double concave curved surface sliders are
characterised by two primary concave sliding surfaces with the
same radius of curvature; both surfaces accomodate for horizontal
displacement and rotation. In this case each single sliding surface is
designed to accomodate only half of the total horizontal displacement,
so that the dimensions in plan of the devices may be significantly
smaller in comparison with FIP series. Another advantage of FIP-D
series versus FIP series is that the eccentricity of the vertical load (P-Δ
effect) is halved, i.e. is equal to half the displacement, while in FIP
series devices it is equal to the displacement (on one side).

3
 CHARACTERISTICS
MATERIALS
The selection of the sliding material is essential to give the curved surface sliders an optimal behaviour in
terms of: i) load bearing capacity; ii) friction coeffi cient and consequently energy dissipation; iii) stability of the
hysteretic force vs. displacement curve both with cycling and with temperature; iv) durability; v) wear resistance.
The sliding material utilized in the primary sliding surfaces is the FFM (FIP Friction Material), an Ultra-High
Molecular Weight Poly-Ethylene (UHMW-PE) characterised by exceptional properties in terms of load bearing
capacity, wear resistance, as well as stability and durability. Other important characteristics of FFM are the
absence of stick-slip and the low value of the ratio between the break-away and the dynamic friction coeffi cients.
The above properties have been verifi ed through extensive testing campaigns, including among others all the
tests required by the European Standard EN 15129, carried out both in FIP MEC laboratory and in independent
laboratories.
FFM is used without lubrication. The material used in the secondary sliding surface of FIP series devices is a
dimpled and lubricated UHMW-PE.
The dynamic friction coeffi cient is the most important parameter that the Structural Engineer needs to know when
modelling a structure with curved surface sliders. For any sliding material the friction coeffi cient is dependent
on both velocity and pressure. However, the dependence on velocity is not signifi cant in the range of velocity
associated with earthquake excitation of an isolated structure. Conversely, it is well known from literature, and
confi rmed by test results, that the dependence on pressure (vertical load) is not negligible; in particular, the
friction coeffi cient decreases at the increasing of the vertical load.
Typical values of dynamic friction coefficient of FFM are reported in the table, respectively for FFM type L (Low
friction) and FFM type M (Medium friction).

FFM type L (low friction) M (medium friction)

Minimum friction coefficient (%) 2.5 5.5

The above values of the friction coeffi cient are minimum values and correspond to the maximum design
vertical load NEd of the curved surface slider, i.e. the maximum vertical load at ULS load combinations
including the seismic action, or at any load combination including horizontal displacement. For the standard
FIP-D isolators, the values of the maximum design vertical load NEd are reported in the tables at the end of
this catalogue.

On request, different values of friction coefficient can be provided. Austenitic steel in accordance with the
European Standard EN 10088-2 is commonly used as mating surface.

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 MODELLING
The mathematical model that best resembles the functioning of the curved surface sliders (both FIP and FIP-D
series) consists of a bilinear force-displacement curve as shown in the figure, where:

F0 = μ • NSd  friction force developed by the isolator

NSd
Fmax = F0 + Kr • d = μ • NSd + ___ • d  maximum horizontal force
R
NSd
Kr = ___  restoring stiffness
R

μ  friction coefficient

NSd  vertical load acting on the isolator

R  equivalent radius of curvature

d  displacement

The vertical load NSd used to model the behaviour of the curved surface sliders under earthquake excitation is
usually the quasi-permanent vertical load, i.e. the mass multiplied by the gravity acceleration, that is the ave-
rage load acting on the isolator during the earthquake. Non-linear dynamic models that take into account the
variation of vertical load during the earthquake are sometimes used.
The friction coefficient μ is a function of vertical load, as shown before. Usually it is calculated at the value of
quasi-permanent load, according to the law μ(NSd/NEd) given above.
In FIP series, the equivalent radius of curvature R coincides with the geometric radius of curvature of the pri-
mary sliding surface, while in FIP-D series R is approximately two times the geometric radius of curvature of
each sliding surface.
When the Standard used for design of structures allows to model said non linear behaviour as a linear equi-
valent behaviour, the effective stiffness and the effective viscous damping can be calculated with the following
formulae:

( 1
Ke = NSd • __ + __
R
μ
d ) 2 1
ξe = __ • ______
π ____d
μ •R
+1

It is worth noting that both the effective stiffness and the effective viscous damping depend on displacement;
consequently, even when it is allowed to model the isolation system as linear equivalent, an iterative procedure
should be applied, until the difference between the assumed and the calculated values of displacement becomes
negligible.
Thanks to the dependence of the effective stiffness on vertical load, the center of mass and the center of
stiffness of the isolation system coincide in plan.
The effective fundamental period, i.e. the period associated to the effective stiffness, of a structure isolated with
curved surface sliders can be estimated as:
1
__________
Te = 2π

(
R
1 μ
g • __ + __
d )
The period associated to the restoring stiffness Kr is instead equivalent to that of a simple pendulum of length R:
R
T = 2π __
g

5
 DESIGN AND PRODUCTION CRITERIA
STANDARDS
The curved surface sliders (both series FIP and FIP-D) are usually designed according to the European
Standard EN 15129:2009 Anti-seismic devices. On request, they can be designed to satisfy other standards or
technical specifications.

DESIGN FEATURES
The standard FIP-D isolators whose geometrical and
mechanical characteristics are listed in the enclosed
tables, are designed for seven different values of maximum
displacement, from 100 to 400 mm.
Such entity of displacement is understood to be the
maximum displacement dEd according to EN 15129:2009.
For buildings and other structures other than bridges, dEd
is given by the design displacement under seismic action
dbd, factored by the magnification factor γx as per Eurocode
8 (EN 1998-1:2005, § 10.3 (2)P).
For bridges, dEd coincides with dmax as defined in EN 1998-
2:2009, § 7.6.2, i.e. is obtained by adding to the amplified • Curved surface slider series FIP manufactured for Mary Bridge,
Turkmenistan
design seismic displacement γxdbd, the potential offset
displacement due to the permanent actions, the long-term
deformations of the superstructure, and the 50 % of the
thermal action.
The vertical load NEd indicated in the tables is the
maximum vertical load at ULS load combinations including
the seismic action, or at any other load combination
including horizontal displacement. The vertical load at
zero horizontal displacement can be higher than NEd, and
usually in r.c. structures depends on concrete strength.
The equivalent radius of curvature is fixed for each value of
displacement; three different values have been used, 2.5 m
for displacement 100 and 150 mm, 3.1 m for displacement
200 and 250 mm, and 3.7 m for displacement 300, 350 and
400 mm. It is recommended to use in a structure isolators
with the same equivalent radius of curvature, in order to
avoid differential vertical displacements associated to
horizontal displacement.
• TURKMENISTAN - Mary Bridge
A rotation value of 0.01 rad is assumed in the design,
combined with maximum horizontal displacement dEd.
At lower values of displacement, higher values of rotation
are allowed.
FIP MEC’s Technical Department may also design ad hoc
curved surface sliders different from the standard ones
to satisfy the Engineer’s requirement, e.g. with different
values of radius of curvature, displacement, vertical load,
rotation, friction coefficient, or of the FIP series.

QUALITY CONTROL
FIP MEC’s internal quality control system ensures the
conformity of the product to the various requirements
thus guaranteeing the quality both of materials and
manufacturing processes.

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 TYPE AND FACTORY PRODUCTION CONTROL TESTS
Both series FIP and FIP-D isolators have been tested
at independent laboratories. In particular, full scale
isolators of different sizes have been subjected to type
tests according to the European Standard EN 15129,
to the Italian Standard NTC 2008, and to other national
Standards as well.
Furthermore, two FIP-D isolators were tested at the
Seismic Response Modification Device Test Facility at
the University of California at San Diego, USA, in order to
verify their behaviour when submitted to a simultaneous
bi-directional dynamic horizontal movement under vertical
load. The isolators were subjected both to simultaneous
sinusoidal movements along two primary axes (the so
called “clover leaf” path as per EN 15129) and to a bi-
directional time-history of horizontal displacement which
reproduces the effect of an actual earthquake.
The reliability of FIP MEC’s technology has been • Type tests on a double concave curved surface slider at
confirmed by the above mentioned type tests, as well Eucentre Trees Laboratory in Pavia.
as by many factory production control tests performed
both at independent laboratories and at FIP MEC’s Test
Laboratory according to EN 15129 and the Italian Standard
NTC 2008. Furthermore, dynamic tests on entire buildings
of the C.A.S.E. project in L’Aquila, isolated with FIP-D
isolators, were carried out by the Italian Civil Defence.

• Bi-directional type tests on a FIP-D isolator at the SRMD Test

Facility at the University of California at San Diego, USA.

• Experimental hysteretic cycles of a double concave curved surface

slider obtained in a test at constant velocity.

• Experimental hysteretic cycles of a double concave curved surface

slider obtained in a sinusoidal test.

• Dynamic tests on a building of the C.A.S.E. project in l’Aquila

(Italy) isolated with FIP-D devices.

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 DESIGN AND PRODUCTION CRITERIA
ANCHORING SYSTEMS
The curved surface sliders are fixed on to the structure by means of mechanical anchoring systems providing
100 % of the horizontal load transfer (despite the European Standard EN 15219:2009 allows that only 75 %
of the horizontal load is supported by mechanical anchorages when the minimum vertical load on the isolators
during the seismic action has been determined by non-linear dynamic analysis).

INSTALLATION
The typical installation procedure of an isolator anchored
on its upper and lower side to reinforced cast-in-situ
concrete structures, comprises the following phases:

• casting of the substructure up to a level lower than the

isolator itself by a few centimeters, leaving holes for the
anchor dowels with a diameter at least twice that of the
same;
• positioning the isolator at the design level and leveling
its base horizontally;
• construction of a formwork slightly larger than the
isolator and approximately 1 cm higher than its lower
edge;
• grouting (epoxy mortar or shrink free cementitious
mortar) to a suggested thickness between 2 and 5 cm;
• screwing of the upper dowels to the isolator (if not
already affixed);
• setting the upper formwork adapting it tightly against the
isolator upper plate;
• positioning the superstructure reinforcement followed by
concrete casting;
• following the hardening of the concrete, and in any case
before the structure starts to be utilized, remove the
transportation brackets (usually yellow) unscrewing the
screws; re-tight all screw in their respective threaded
holes in order to ensure the maximum anti-corrosion
protection of the holes.

It is recommended to pay attention to protect the sliding

surfaces of the isolators during the pouring of concrete.
Should the sliding surfaces get accidentally dirty during
installation, they shall be cleaned as soon as possible.

FIRE RESISTANCE
Curved surface sliders are characterised by intrinsic
fire resistance, usually higher than 240 minutes, when
installed in reinforced concrete structures, i.e. when the
exposure to fire is only through lateral surface. However,
replacement of the entire isolator that has been subjected
to fire or at least of some parts of it (e.g. the sliding material
and the stainless steel) could be necessary.
For curved surface sliders installed in steel structures, a
passive fire protection system is recommended for the
isolators as well as for the structural elements.

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 COMBINATION OF DEVICES
Curved surface sliders can be combined with other anti-
seismic devices, to obtain special performance, useful in
particular in bridge applications.
For example, they can be combined with shock transmission
units for application on mobile piers of a bridge; the shock
transmission units allow the slow movements due to the
variations of temperature without transmitting a significant
horizontal force to the pier, while under an earthquake
the shock transmission units become stiff and the curved
surface slider is activated, thus dissipating energy and
ensuring the re-centring according to its force vs. displacement curve. This behaviour can be important in order
to reduce the horizontal force transmitted to the pier under service conditions.

MARKS
The curved surface sliders or double concave curved surface sliders are classified by the mark FIP or FIP-D,
respectively, followed by a letter and 3 numbers. The letter identify the friction coefficient (L: low friction – M:
medium friction), the first number is a conventional number, the second number represents the total displacement
in millimeters and the third number (in brackets) stands for the equivalent curvature radius in millimeters.

Example:

FIP-D L 1200/600 (3700) double concave curved surface slider that permits ± 300 mm horizontal
displacement in all directions, with an equivalent curvature radius of 3700 mm
and using low friction sliding material.

• TURKMENISTAN - Avaza Bridge

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 AUG 2018
BRIDGE ANTI-SEISMIC EXPANSION FITTINGS NOISE DAMPING
BEARINGS DEVICES JOINTS FOR TUNNEL BARRIERS SYSTEMS

FIP MEC S.r.l.

Via Scapacchiò, 41 | 35030 Selvazzano Dentro (PD) Italy

Tel : +39 049 822 5511 | [Link] PD | C.F. e [Link] 01049070251

info@[Link] | PECfipmec@[Link]