International investigation of shear displacement capacity of various elastomeric seismic-protection isolators for buildings

In recent years, various types of elastomeric isolators are used for seismic isolated buildings globally. International standards for elastomeric seismic-protection isolators, ISO 22762 were first developed in 2005, and this standard has been revised through a systematic review to issue the 3rd edition now (3rd edition was issued in October 2018). This paper describes breaking test results of elastomeric isolators to investigate the ultimate property (breaking limit) of isolators used for buildings around the world. Shear displacement capacity is one of the most important parameters of elastomeric isolators, and these tests results are useful for our proposal of the introduction of a classification system (classification of isolators according to their performance) to ISO 22762 in the near future. Breaking tests were carried out on 11 isolators produced in five countries. The isolators having diameters of around 800 mm, and the total rubber heights of around 160 mm were tested with increasing shear strain under constant compressive stress using a multi-axial testing system. The breaking shear strain was distributed between 300 and 450% or more.