A practical system that combines a flexible first story with sliding f
rictional interfaces is described. The system utilizes Teflon sliders
at the top of the first story reinforced concrete framed shearwalls to
carry a portion of the superstructure. Energy dissipation is provided
by the first story ductile columns and by the Teflon sliders. Utilizi
ng this concept the seismic response characteristics of a multistory f
rame are analyzed and discussed.