Evaluation of high-damping elastomers for seismic isolation systems

对加拿大建筑物和桥梁的抗震要求有了更好的了解，导致了更严格的抗震设计要求。隔震技术被认为是减少地震灾害的最有效方法之一。它涉及在桥梁的主梁和桥墩/桥台之间引入低横向刚度元件。这些被称为隔震器（或支座）的柔性元件减少并重新分配地震引起的侧向力。为了使由弹性体隔震器组成的隔震系统有效地执行，隔震器必须耗散足够量的能量。加拿大境内的极端气候温度要求使用能够在极冷和极热温度下保持足够柔韧性的专用弹性体。不幸的是，迄今为止，在加拿大各地的弹性体隔震系统中使用的合适的高阻尼橡胶（HDR）尚未确定。本提案中概述的研究重点是使用修改后的ASTM 4014测试方案对不同原型HDR样本进行评估。这些信息将使先进的HDR弹性体系统的发展适用于各种结构位于加拿大各地。

An better understanding of the seismic demand on Canada's buildings and bridges has led to more stringent seismic design requirements. Seismic isolation is considered to be one of the most effective methods to reduce earthquake-induced damage. It involves the introduction of low lateral stiffness elements between the girders and piers/abutments of a bridge. These flexible elements, which are called isolators (or bearings), reduce and redistribute the earthquake induced lateral forces. For a seismic isolation system comprised of elastomeric isolators to perform effectively, the isolators must dissipate a sufficient amount of energy. The extreme range of climatic temperatures experienced within Canada requires the use of specialized elastomers that are capable of maintaining sufficient flexibility under both extremely cold and hot temperatures. Unfortunately, to date a suitable high-damping rubber (HDR) for use in elastomeric isolation systems throughout Canada has not been identified. The research outlined in this proposal focuses on the evaluation of different prototype HDR specimens using a modified ASTM 4014 test protocol. This information will enable the development of advanced HDR elastomeric systems suitable for application in a variety of structures located throughout Canada.