Title: Isolation Bearing Specification Issues

Author(s): Ronald J. Watson

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 164

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 165-176

Keywords: bridge bearings; bridges (structures); damping; earthquake-resistant structures; energy dissipation; plastics, polymers, and resins; Structural Research

DOI: 10.14359/1442

Date: 11/1/1996

Abstract:
Over the past decade, isolation bearings have seen a dramatic increase in usage on civil engineering structures. In the early stages, specifiers relied heavily on manufacturers when it came to composing material properties, performance standards, and testing requirements for these devices. The current state of the art dealing with isolation bearing specifications is much further advanced. However, several issues remain confusing to engineers wishing to implement isolators either for seismic or force control design rationale. This paper attempts to simplify isolation bearing specification issues by identifying important design criteria. Items such as qualification, material properties, fabrication, inspection, and testing concerns are all important components in a well-structured document.