Dynamic behavior of a smart device on a surface subjected to earthquake motion

This paper leverages concepts from an existing model to simulate the planar response of a smart device subjected to friction forces induced by an underlying moving plane. An interpolation technique is used to enhance detection of transition points (between sticking and sliding states), which must be accurately identified because of the frequency of their occurrence during seismic motion. The behavior of a smart device on an unconstrained table or desk, which is itself on a moving floor, is introduced and discussed. After validation of the results using experimental data, the revised model is used to study the sliding potential of smart devices on a surface during strong seismic events. Sliding spectra associated with selected ground motions are presented and extended to incorporate the effect of vertical accelerations with the purpose of assessing their influence. It is shown that vertical accelerations have a minimal effect on the sliding behavior of smart devices and that a “probability of exceeding the slip limit” curve can be developed to relate the probability of sticking to a demand parameter that represents the ground motion.