Comparative Study of Lead Rubber Bearing Base-Isolated and Fixed Base Buildings under IS 1893: 2022 Guidelines

Base isolation is recognized as an effective strategy in earthquake-resistant design, significantly reducing floor accelerations and inter-storey drifts. This enhances the safety of both structural and non-structural components, ensuring continued functionality of buildings even after major seismic events. The performance of base isolation systems largely depends on the linear and bilinear properties of the isolators used. This study investigates the seismic performance of a base-isolated structure in comparison to a conventional fixed-base building. A G+15 storey building model was developed and analysed using ETABS 21 software, employing Lead Rubber Bearings (LRB) for base isolation. A comparative evaluation was conducted based on key response parameters, including displacement, inter-storey drift, storey shear, and storey acceleration. The isolators were modelled using linear properties and analysed using the Response Spectrum Method in accordance with IS 1893 (Part 6): 2022. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to support the research framework, followed by model validation to align the methodology with established studies in the field. The concluding section summarizes the findings from the comparative analysis, highlighting the effectiveness of base isolation systems in enhancing seismic performance and providing insights for future research and design improvements in seismic isolation technology.