Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction for Rigid Blocks

Keywords: Seismic performance.  Nonstructural components.  Static friction coefficient.  Kinetic friction coefficient.  Rigid blocks.  Block-type components.  Tilt and pull tests.  Dynamic analyses.  Estimations.  Maximum acceleration response.  Maximum displacement response.  Earthquake simulator tests.

Abstract: This study is the first phase of research on the seismic performance of block-type nonstructural components, with a main objective of characterizing coefficients of friction.  Three interfaces, Poly-Tetra-Fluoro-Ethylene on steel, wood on steel, and carpet on steel, were used to characterize coefficients of friction as low, medium, and high, respectively.  Two sets of blocks with different geometry were designed and constructed to model block-type nonstructural components.  Estimates of the kinetic coefficient of friction were calculated using the maximum responses of the blocks obtained through earthquake simulator experiments and analytical relationships between the maximum responses and the kinetic coefficient of friction.  The implemented method explicitly accounted for the uncertainty in experimental errors, imperfections in block-floor interfaces, and the relationship between the kinetic friction coefficient and the loading and block size.  Tables, figures and references are included.