Performance Evaluation of High-Performance Isolation Rubber Bearings for the Seismic Mitigation of Bridge Structures

This paper promoted a novel isolation bearing called high-performance isolation rubber bearings (HIRBs). Its stiffening material is flexible high-strength steel mesh. With large horizontal deformability owing to stable rolling-over, HIRB was further studied on its seismic mitigation effectiveness and efficiency by conducting shaking table tests on a 1/20 scale half extra-dosed cable-stayed bridge model. Dynamic responses were compared with numerical simulation results of fixed bridge and unbonded laminated rubber bearing isolated bridge, including peak acceleration and relative displacement responses and residual displacement. Deck peak acceleration was reduced by 40%~80% compared with fixed bridge. Maximum residual displacement was only 4mm, nearly 1/10 of unbonded laminated rubber bearing isolated bridge. It indicates that HIRBs are excellent isolation bearings for not only satisfied seismic mitigation ability but also superior displacement sustainability and control.