Experimental Study on the Response of Fiber Reinforced Elastomeric Isolators (Frei) Under Combined Loading

Abstract eng:
The objective of seismic isolation is to decouple the superstructure from earthquake induced ground motions. The introduction of properly designed low horizontal stiffness elements between the superstructure and the foundation, which are capable of carrying the vertical loads to the foundation, can significantly reduce the seismic demand and seismicinduced damage. Numerous isolation systems have been developed for this purpose. Fiber reinforced elastomeric isolators (FREI) are a relatively new type of reinforced elastomeric isolator. A unique feature of FREI is that individual isolators of any plan geometry can be rapidly cut from a large pre-manufactured sheet. FREI are typically categorized as either bonded (B-FREI) or unbonded (U-FREI). Early investigations have revealed that U-FREI can effectively protect a structure and its non-structural components from moderate and strong seismic events. Although both the vertical and lateral response of UFREI have been investigated experimentally, few tests have been carried to evaluate the influence of rotational deformations on the vertical and lateral response of U-FREI. This paper reports on an experimental investigation of the response of UFREI under combined vertical, lateral and rotational deformations. The experimental program was conducted using a 3 degree-of-freedom test apparatus. Based on findings from the experimental tests, the paper offers recommendations for the design and manufacture of U-FREI.

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