Polymeric Bearings – A New Base Isolation System to Reduce Structural Damage during Earthquakes

Abstract

Base isolators, like lead rubber bearings, high damping rubber bearings or friction pendulum systems are extensively used in practice in many seismically active regions to protect structures against earthquake forces. The present paper reports the results obtained from the experimental study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the Polymeric Bearings in suppressing structural vibrations during dynamic excitations and therefore to minimize structural damage. The response of the analyzed two-storey structure model both fixed and supported by the Polymeric Bearings under different earthquake excitations was studied. The reduction in lateral response due to seismic events was measured by comparing the peak accelerations of the two-storey steel structure models – with and without base isolation system. The results of the study have shown that the use of the Polymeric Bearings leads to significant improvement in dynamic properties by suppressing structural vibrations. The results have indicated that the Polymeric Bearings can be successfully used to reduce damage of structures during seismic events.