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.