EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF A MULTI-LAYER RUBBER BEARING PILED VERTICALLY TO ENHANCE HORIZONTAL DISPLACEMENT OF ISOLATED BRIDGES STRUCTURES

Abstract

 This study develops a multi layered rubber bearing that can improve horizontal displacement demand of bridge structures. Compared to the traditional single bearing, this system consists of two laminated rubber bearings piled-up on each other. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the shear force-deformation performance considering two piled arrangements. One-by-two, and four-by-two piled-up bearings. The results of the one-by-two bearing demonstrated that the equivalent shear stiffness and damping coefficient can be estimated at shear strain of ±175%. Strain hardening was initiated after the shear strain of ±250%. In addition, specimen four-by-two exhibited a consistent shear force deformations after several cycles.