Performance Comparison of Regular and Smart Elastomeric Isolators Using a New Constitutive Model

Abstract eng:
Smart rubber bearings in which shape memory alloy (SMA) wires are incorporated possess improved performance compared to traditional steel- and fiber-reinforced elastomeric isolators. Recent studies discussed the feasibility of using such smart earthquake protective systems and showed that they have higher self-centering property and energy dissipation capacity. By proposing a novel smart isolation device, it is critical to properly establish a constitutive model which represents a relation between the input loading and the output response (hysteresis). Following this procedure is essential for properly evaluating characteristics of the smart isolation system and designing it. The objective of this study is to compare the seismic performance of regular and smart SMA-wire based rubber bearings using a new constitutive model developed by the same authors. This goal will be achieved by implementing the constitutive model in the finite element software, OpenSees. Results revealed that unlike the existing hysteresis model available for traditional rubber bearings, the new constitutive model, which has been developed for SMA wire-based isolators, can correctly simulate their hysteresis and capture their highly nonlinear shear response. 

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