Shake table tests of post-installed anchors with supplemental damping

The seismic design of fasteners used to anchor nonstructural components (NSCs) to concrete structures constitutes a crucial task within the context of a modern performance-based philosophy, which accounts for all the components of a building. This is particularly relevant when the NSCs are required to withstand strong seismic events with minor damage. The present paper introduces a new generation of high-performance post-installed anchors incorporating supplemental damping-referred to as EQ-Rod-for reducing the acceleration suffered by NSCs. The performance of the innovative solutions was investigated under a comprehensive experimental campaign using unidirectional shake table tests of a NSC connected to concrete via single anchors, such that they are subjected to shear loading. The results showed that, in general, the EQ-Rod solution could improve the seismic response of the system when compared to equivalent traditional anchors. The findings indicate that the prototypes can provide higher seismic protection to NSCs, and merit further refinements.