Hybrid simulation tests evaluating the seismic performance of lead high-damping rubber bearings at low temperatures

Abstract

As a hybrid rubber isolation bearing, the lead high-damping rubber bearing (LHB) exhibits enhanced seismic isolation and energy dissipation performance by combining lead cores and high-damping rubber (HDR) in a single device. However, at low temperatures, the LHB exhibits the same hardening and self-heating problems as conventional lead rubber bearings (LRBs) and HDR bearings. The complicated thermo–mechanical coupled behavior of the LHB is difficult to predict and is an obstacle for designing and applying it in cold earthquake-prone areas. In this study, the mechanical characteristic variations of the LHB owing to a low temperature were evaluated in the cyclic loading tests, and the low temperature effect on the seismic behavior of a bridge isolated with LHBs was investigated in hybrid simulation tests using a loading system that can control the ambient temperature of the bearing.