Innovative Circular Fibre Reinforced Elastomeric Isolation Devices

Abstract: Seismic base isolation by introducing a flexible horizontal layer at the foundation level of a structure has proven to significantly reduce the seismic demand. Recently, multilayer reinforced elastomeric bearings, consisting of elastomeric layers reinforced by thin steel plates or fiber sheets, have been extensively used as isolation devises. Various shapes of bearings have been investigated. Circular bearings have the ability to be subjected to multidirectional loading. Moreover, bearings with multiple material properties, acting as multi-damping systems, could find a wide range of application. Their ability to absorb multiple frequencies leads to an improved behaviour under seismic actions. The formulas in literature and in design codes provide a rough approximation of the mechanical behaviour of circular bearings. The aim of the proposed project is to develop analytical formulations describing realistically the performance of such bearing types.

Seismic base isolation by introducing a flexible horizontal layer at the foundation level of a structure has proven to significantly reduce the seismic demand. Recently, multilayer reinforced elastomeric bearings, consisting of elastomeric layers reinforced by thin steel plates or fiber sheets, have been extensively used as isolation devises. Various shapes of bearings have been investigated. Circular bearings have the ability to be subjected to multidirectional loading. Moreover, bearings with multiple material properties, acting as multi-damping systems, could find a wide range of application. Their ability to absorb multiple frequencies leads to an improved behaviour under seismic actions. The formulas in literature and in design codes provide a rough approximation of the mechanical behaviour of circular bearings. The aim of the proposed project was to develop analytical formulations describing realistically the performance of such bearing types.