THE DESIGN AND USE OF RUBBER BEARINGS FOR VIBRATION ISOLATION AND SEISMIC PROTECTION OF STRUCTURES

The development of rubber structural bearings for civil engineering applications is described. Rubber bridge bearings are designed to be stiff vertically and soft horizontally. Bearings with these characteristics can be designed from a knowledge of the compression characteristics of rubber blocks. A formula for the compression modulus in terms of the shape factor of the rubber block is given. Both natural and synthetic rubber (neoprene) are normally satisfactory; although stiffening of neoprene may occur where temperatures are at or below 0 degrees C for extended periods. Relevant static and dynamic properties of rubber and the extension of the design methods to provide seismic protection for buildings are described. For anti-seismic bearings the very low horizontal stiffness required may lead to a tall unstable bearing, and detailed consideration of this stability may be required. The possible buckling of the mount under the vertical load must also be considered. It is also important to select the correct degree of damping in the bearing material. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/01410296
• Corporate Authors:

  IPC Science and Technology Press Limited

  IPC House, 32 High Street
  Guildford, Surrey  England 
• Authors:
  • Derham, C J
  • THOMAS, A G
• Publication Date: 1980-7

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 171-175
• Serial:
  • Engineering Structures
  • Volume: 2
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0141-0296
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01410296

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge bearings; Compression; Creep; Design; Design methods; Earthquake resistant design; Earthquake resistant structures; Rubber; Seismicity; Stability (Mechanics); Stiffness; Temperature; Vibration isolation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Seismic response
• Old TRIS Terms: Vibration isolators
• ITRD Terms: 3415: Bearing (bridge); 5532: Compression; 4732: Creep (mater); 9011: Design (overall design); 7494: Rubber; 5731: Seismic; 5931: Stiffness; 6722: Temperature
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00324639
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 15 1981 12:00AM