Seismic mitigation performance analysis of underground subway station with arc grooved roller bearings

Abstract A seismic mitigation control technology involving arc groove roller bearings (AGRB) for shallow buried underground frame structures is proposed for reducing the horizontal deformation of the central column. Firstly, the working mechanism of AGRB component is described and its mechanical properties are analyzed through pseudo-static analysis. The results show that AGRB offers good vertical bearing capacity and horizontal deformation performance. Secondly, the finite element models of the soil-structure system for subway stations with and without AGRB are established for implementing the nonlinear dynamic time-history analysis. Compared with the observed response of the structures without AGRB, the horizontal deformation, shear force and bending moment of the central column fitted with AGRB are greatly reduced and the maximum seismic mitigation rate is above 80%. In addition, the results demonstrated that utilizing AGRB could greatly reduce the plastic damage area and damage degree of the supporting column, and avoid the occurrence of plastic hinges and shear failure due to insufficient lateral deformation resistance of the central column under high axial compression. Thus the AGRB can be used as an effective design scheme to achieve seismic mitigation control for underground structures.