Mechanics of Rubber Bearings for Seismic and Vibration Isolation


Book Description

Widely used in civil, mechanical and automotive engineering since the early 1980s, multilayer rubber bearings have been used as seismic isolation devices for buildings in highly seismic areas in many countries. Their appeal in these applications comes from their ability to provide a component with high stiffness in one direction with high flexibility in one or more orthogonal directions. This combination of vertical stiffness with horizontal flexibility, achieved by reinforcing the rubber by thin steel shims perpendicular to the vertical load, enables them to be used as seismic and vibration isolators for machinery, buildings and bridges. Mechanics of Rubber Bearings for Seismic and Vibration Isolation collates the most important information on the mechanics of multilayer rubber bearings. It explores a unique and comprehensive combination of relevant topics, covering all prerequisite fundamental theory and providing a number of closed-form solutions to various boundary value problems as well as a comprehensive historical overview on the use of isolation. Many of the results presented in the book are new and are essential for a proper understanding of the behavior of these bearings and for the design and analysis of vibration or seismic isolation systems. The advantages afforded by adopting these natural rubber systems is clearly explained to designers and users of this technology, bringing into focus the design and specification of bearings for buildings, bridges and industrial structures. This comprehensive book: includes state of the art, as yet unpublished research along with all required fundamental concepts; is authored by world-leading experts with over 40 years of combined experience on seismic isolation and the behavior of multilayer rubber bearings; is accompanied by a website at www.wiley.com/go/kelly The concise approach of Mechanics of Rubber Bearings for Seismic and Vibration Isolation forms an invaluable resource for graduate students and researchers/practitioners in structural and mechanical engineering departments, in particular those working in seismic and vibration isolation.




Earthquake-Resistant Design with Rubber


Book Description

Base isolation technology offers a cost-effective and reliable strategy for mitigating seismic damage to structures. The effectiveness of this new technology has been demonstrated not only in laboratory research, but also in the actual response of base-isolated buildings during earthquakes. Increasingly, new and existing buildings in earthquake-prone regions throughout the world are making use of this innovative strategy. In this expanded and updated edition, the design methods and guidelines associated with seismic isolation are detailed. The main focus of the book is on isolation systems that use a damped natural rubber. Topics covered include coupled lateral-torsional response, the behavior of multilayer bearings under compression and bending, and the buckling behavior of elastomeric bearings. Also featured is a section covering the recent changes in building code requirements.













Abstracts of Papers


Book Description




Earthquake-Resistant Design with Rubber


Book Description

My involvement in the use of natural rubber as a method for the protec 1976. At that time, tion of buildings against earthquake attack began in I was working on the development of energy-dissipating devices for the same purpose and had developed and tested a device that was even tually used in a stepping-bridge structure, this being a form of partial isolation. It became clear to me that in order to use these energy devices for the earthquake protection of buildings, it would be best to combine them with an isolation system which would give them the large displace ments needed to develop sufficient hysteresis. At this appropriate point in time, I was approached by Dr. C. J. Derham, then of the Malaysian Rubber Producers' Research Association (MRPRA), who asked if I was interested in looking at the possibility of conducting shaking table tests at the Earthquake Simulator Laboratory to see to what extent natural rubber bearings could be used to protect buildings from earthquakes. Very soon after this meeting, we were able to do such a test using a 20-ton model and hand-made isolators. The eady tests were very promising. Accordingly, a further set of tests was done with a more realistic five storey model weighing 40 tons with bearings that were commercially made. In both of the test series, the isolators were used both alone and with a number of different types of energy-dissipating devices to en hance damping.




Chemistry, Manufacture and Applications of Natural Rubber


Book Description

The growing demand for more sustainable materials has led to increased research on the properties of natural rubber. Chemistry, Manufacture and Applications of Natural Rubber summarizes this research and its significance for the industrial applications of natural rubber. Chapters in part one explore the properties and processing of natural rubber, including the biosynthesis of natural rubber in different rubber-producing species, chemical modification of natural rubber for improved performance, and the effect of strain-induced crystallization on the physical properties of natural rubber. Further chapters highlight hydrophobic and hydrophilic silica-filled cross-linked natural rubber and computer simulation of network formation in natural rubber. Part two focusses on applications of natural rubber, including eco-friendly bio-composites using natural rubber matrices and reinforcements, soft bio-composites from natural rubber and marine products, natural rubber for the tire industry, the application of epoxidized natural rubber in pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs), and the use of natural rubber for vibration isolation and earthquake protection of structures. Finally, chapters in part three consider environmental and safety issues associated with natural rubber, including improving the sustainable development of natural rubber, the recycling of natural and synthetic isoprene rubbers and of sulfur cross-linked natural rubber, and recent research on natural rubber latex allergy. Chemistry, Manufacture and Applications of Natural Rubber is a comprehensive resource for academics, chemists, chemical engineers, mechanical engineers, and other professionals in the rubber industry, as well as those industries, including automotive, civil, and medical engineering, using natural rubber products. An updated review with systematic and comprehensive coverage of natural rubbers Covers a broad range of topics, including the chemistry, processing, sustainability, and applications of natural rubbers Coverage of the best international research, including key experts from Asia, the United States, South America, and Europe