First Implementation of the Original Concept for Base Isolation of Residential Houses Unified by One Reinforced Concrete Slab

In 2018 the original concept for base isolation of four residential houses unified by one reinforced concrete slab was proposed by the author of this paper [1]. It was shown that proposed new solution gives a possibility to significantly (about two times) reduce the number of seismic isolation laminated rubber-steel bearings (SILRSBs) in comparison with the known ways of creation of base isolation systems. The given paper presents the first practical implementation of the proposed original concept for base isolation of two 3-story residential private houses unified by one rigid reinforced concrete (R/C) slab. Details of the developed structural solution are described, as well as stages of implementation of this new concept in construction site are illustrated. The paper also briefly describes an architectural solution developed based on the proposed concept, but mainly it focused on the construction process of two residential houses with load-bearing walls located on mentioned R/C rigid slab supported by SILRSBs. The space below this slab is used as the basement/parking/technical floors. All the structural elements under the level of SILRSBs are designed as the R/C lower pedestals and shear walls. Thanks to the proposed new solution only 12 SILRSBs were used in construction of two base isolated houses.