Seismische Isolierung des Gebetssaals der Großen Moschee von Algerien

Seismic Isolation of the Prayer Hall of the Great Mosque of Algiers

The world's third largest mosque, whose prayer hall is designed for up to 32 000 believers, is presently under construction. Following the architectural idea of a high transparency inside the hall, a special three-dimensional stiffening system without inner shear walls or bracings was designed. Northern Algeria is a strong motion area. To assure the structural safety of the monumental building a seismic isolation with sliding- isolation-pendulum was chosen. Furthermore fluid viscous dampers were arranged to reduce the earthquake displacements. The article describes the earthquake design and the related calculations and presents the specialties in the design codes concerning the planning, the tender documents and the execution of the constructions according to European codes (EN).