Seismic response of rail-counterweight systems in elevators

• Published in: Earthquake engineering & structural dynamics 2002-02, Vol.31 (2), p.281-303
• Main Authors: Singh, Mahendra P., Suarez, Luis E., Rildova
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: counterweight; damage to elevators; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; earthquake effect on elevators; Earthquakes, seismology; elevator vibrations; elevators; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Engineering geology; Exact sciences and technology; Internal geophysics; mechanical equipment; rail-counterweight systems; seismic response
• ISSN: 0098-8847; 1096-9845
• DOI: 10.1002/eqe.109

The rail‐counterweight systems in building elevators are known to be susceptible to earthquake‐induced ground motions. Besides avoiding costly repairs and economic disruptions, it is of special interest to maintain the functionality of the elevators in critical facilities such as hospitals during, and especially after, a strong earthquake event. This paper presents an approach to develop a realistic analytical model of these vulnerable systems to study their seismic response behaviour. The model includes the flexibilities of the guidance and supporting components of the counterweights in a systematic manner. Currently only the linear response behaviour is considered; however, the sources of non‐linearities in the flexible components are clearly identified. The model considers the effect of the differential support motions from the building. Both the out‐of‐plane and in‐plane responses of the rail‐counterweight are studied and included in the stress calculations. Several sets of numerical results considering simultaneous action of the two orthogonal components of historic earthquakes are obtained to study the seismic response characteristics of the rail‐counterweight system. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.