2304 Development of Seismic Isolated Container Crane Using Laminated Rubber Bearings

Abstract

The Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995 caused extensive damage to the container handling cranes at the container terminals of Kobe Port. Consequently, the authors developed a seismic isolated container handling crane that could avoid damage and wheel derailment for practical use. These practical cranes were installed at Tokyo Port Terminal Japan in October 2001. The authors used laminated-rubber isolators as system to make the natural period of the crane longer and isolate earthquake energy. Laminated-rubber isolators have been widely installed on bridges, buildings and other structures for many years. This paper verifies the seismic isolation system effectiveness by a scale model test, such as the reduction of crane acceleration response and prevention of wheel derailment, and shows the results of the simulation by nonlinear seismic response analysis.