This paper presents the numerical and experimental evaluation of a vertical‐rocking isolation (VRI). This evaluation is done by 1‐D shaking table tests performed on a full‐scale legged storage tank of 3000‐liters capacity and its representation through a simple yet representative rigid lumped‐mass model approach. The isolation system setup consisted of four ISO3D‐2G devices, each one placed on each leg of the tank, which uses high‐damping natural rubber to generate the restoring and dissipative forces. The ISO3D‐2G device is vertically flexible and laterally rigid, enabling the isolation mechanism of the rocking motion of the tank. The experiments were carried out using three white noise for the system identification and 17 ground motions inputs for the system validation. The measured variables included the lateral acceleration and displacement of the tank, and the vertical and rotational behavior of the isolation interface. The identification results showed a vertical‐rotational coupled fundamental mode that is highly dependent on the amplitude of deformation, with a period varying from 0.5 to more than 1 s, depending on the intensity of the motion. The maximum displacement of the tank at the top remained below 13 cm with total accelerations of nearly 0.3 g, both for motions with Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) values ranging from 0.3 to 0.8 g. The mean maximum values were predicted with the simplified model with errors of less than 10% and 21% for displacements and accelerations, respectively. Finally, the results show that the behavior of vertical‐rocking isolated structures can be predicted by simplified models with reasonable errors and that the development of simple design guidelines and equations for VRI systems is possible.

In developing countries with high seismic activity, a need exists to construct resilient infrastructure and reduce the housing deficit. Industrialized timber construction and the implementation of seismic isolation interfaces may represent a good alternative to respond to these demands. This paper studies the feasibility of constructing cross-laminated timber (CLT) buildings equipped with frictional pendulum bearings in Chile or similar highly seismic regions. The first part of this study shows a first-order approach for modeling the highly nonlinear behavior of CLT walls using a Smooth Hysteretic Model (SHM). An equivalent model of a base-isolated building was developed using the SHM as well as a physical model of the Friction Pendulum System in order to assess the seismic performance of CLT buildings with frictional isolators. The second part of this research presents and discusses the results of a broad parametric analysis concerning the seismic performance of base-isolated CLT buildings. The seismic assessment was carried out by deriving fragility curves and including the uncertainty linked to the seismic input and the friction coefficient of the isolation system. Constructing lateral resistant systems based on CLT walls presents a feasible alternative for buildings in high seismic hazard areas. Excellent seismic performance is achieved if the superstructure’s is designed with a reduction factor of 1, or if the superstructure’s fundamental period ranges from 0.6 to 0.9 s and is designed with a reduction factor of 2 and ductility capacity of 6 or more. An excellent seismic performance can be obtained for larger reduction factor values if the superstructure has middle to high maximum ductility capacity.