Mechanical properties of seismic isolation system with fiber-reinforced bearing of strip type

Abstract

This paper describes an experimental and theoretical study of the feasibility of using fiber reinforcement to produce a lightweight and low-cost elastomeric isolator. The fiber in the fiber-reinforced isolator, in contrast to the steel in the conventional isolator, is assumed to be flexible in tension. Several isolators in the form of long strips were fabricated and tested. The theoretical analysis and test results suggest that it is possible to produce a fiber-reinforced strip isolator that behaves like a steel-reinforced isolator. The fiber-reinforced isolator is significantly lighter and can be made in a much less labor-intensive manufacturing process.