Title: Current Activities on the Use of High Damping Rubber Isolation Bearings in Italy

Author(s): Alessandro Martelli, Massimo Forni, Franco Bettinali, Giuseppe Bonacina and Agostino Marioni

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 164

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 885-902

Keywords: Base isolation; bearings; damping; finite element method; rubber; tests.

DOI: 10.14359/14331

Date: 11/1/1996

Abstract:
Innovative antiseismic techniques have already been applied in Italy to more than 150 bridges and viaducts and over 30 buildings and other structures. For the latter, seismic isolation systems, mostly formed by high damping rubber bearings, have already been used in 20 cases. For such systems detailed numerical analyses and wide-ranging experimental campaigns have also been performed in the framework of both national and international collaborations to support applications. Proposals for design guidelines and standards have been developed for the isolation devices and both civil and industrial structures, including the nuclear plants. This paper focusses on the main features of the activities performed in support of the development of the aforesaid seismic isolation systems.