• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.395-410
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• 2014

Fiber Reinforced Elastomeric Bearings (FREBs) are a relatively new type of laminated bearings that can be used as seismic/vibration isolators or bridge bearings. In an unbonded (U)-FREB, the bearing is placed between the top and bottom supports with no bonding or fastening provided at its contact surfaces. Under shear loads the top and bottom faces of a U-FREB roll off the contact supports and the bearing exhibits rollover deformation. As a result of rollover deformation, the horizontal response characteristics of U-FREBs are significantly different than conventional elastomeric bearings that are employed in bonded application. Current literature lacks an efficient analytical horizontal stiffness solution for this type of bearings. This paper presents two simplified analytical models for horizontal stiffness evaluation of U-FREBs. Both models assume that the resistance to shear loads is only provided by an effective region of the bearing that sustains significant shear strains. The presented models are different in the way they relate this effective region to the horizontal bearing displacements. In comparison with experimental results and finite element analyses, the analytical models that are presented in this paper are found to be sufficiently accurate to be used in the preliminary design of U-FREBs.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.20-29
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• 2004

This paper proposes a new type of bearing system. In this study, a method for design of on elastomeric bearing system and its mechanical property analysis are carried. Experimental and theoretical studies of the elastomeric bearings with fiber reinforcement were proved effective new lightweight bearing system. The fibers in the bearings for isolation are assumed to be flexible in extension, in contrast to the steel plates in the conventional bearing system. Several kinds of bearing systems in the form of long strips are designed, fabricated and tested. The results suggest that it is possible to produce the economical and effective fiber-reinforced elastomeric bearing that matches the behavior of a steel-reinforced bearing. Feasibility and advantages of the proposed bearings are illustrated by the application of the analytic procedure to the structure system. Results obtained here are reported to be an efficient approach with respect to bearing system and design of bearing against shock absorbing system when compared with other conventional one.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.31-47
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• 2017

As a relatively new type of multi-layered rubber-based seismic isolators, fiber-reinforced elastomeric isolators (FREIs) are composed of several thin rubber layers reinforced with flexible fiber sheets. Limited analytical studies in literature have pointed out that "warping" (distortion) of reinforcing sheets has significant influence on buckling behavior of FREIs. However, none of these studies, to the best knowledge of authors, has investigated their warping behavior, thoroughly. This study aims to investigate, in detail, the warping behavior of strip-shaped FREIs by deriving advanced analytical solutions without utilizing the commonly used "pressure", incompressibility, inextensibility and the "linear axial displacement variation through the thickness" assumptions. Studies show that the warping behavior of FREIs mainly depends on the (i) aspect ratio (shape factor) of the interior elastomer layers, (ii) Poisson's ratio of the elastomer and (iii) extensibility of the fiber sheets. The basic assumptions of the "pressure" method as well as the commonly used incompressibility assumption are valid only for isolators with relatively large shape factors, strictly incompressible elastomeric material and nearly inextensible fiber reinforcement.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2002

In order to study the characteristics of fiber reinforced bearing, the steel plates of laminated rubber bearing were replaced with fibers which have same effects of steel plates. The comparison of vertical test and horizontal test of laminated rubber bearing and fiber reinforced bearing shows that the effective damping of fiber reinforced bearing is higher than laminated rubber bearing. This result implies the high energy dissipation ability of fiber reinforced bearing under earthquake excitation. These fiber reinforced bearing can be applied to the low-coast building.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.361-384
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• 2011

Earlier studies on hollow-circular rubber bearings, all of which are conducted for steel-reinforced bearings, indicate that the hole presence not only decreases the compression modulus of the bearing but also increases the maximum shear strain developing in the bearing due to compression, both of which are basic design parameters also for fiber-reinforced rubber bearings. This paper presents analytical solutions to the compression problem of hollow-circular fiber-reinforced rubber bearings. The problem is handled using the most-recent formulation of the "pressure method". The analytical solutions are, then, used to investigate the effects of reinforcement flexibility and hole presence on bearing's compression modulus and maximum shear strain in the bearing in view of four key parameters: (i) reinforcement extensibility, (ii) hole size, (iii) bearing's shape factor and (iv) rubber compressibility. It is shown that the compression stiffness of a hollow-circular fiber-reinforced bearing may decrease considerably as reinforcement flexibility and/or hole size increases particularly if the shape factor of the bearing is high and rubber compressibility is not negligible. Numerical studies also show that the existence of even a very small hole can increase the maximum shear strain in the bearing significantly, which has to be considered in the design of such annular bearings.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.313-323
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• 2022

Steel laminated elastomeric bearings are commonly used in bridge structures to control displacements and rotations and transfer forces from the superstructure to the substructure. Proper knowledge of design, fabrication and erection procedures is important to ensure stability and adequate structural performance during the lifetime of the bridge. Difference in elevations sometimes leads to large size gaps between the bearing and the girder which makes the grout thickness that is commonly used for leveling deviate beyond standards. This paper investigates the structural response of High Strength Fiber Reinforced Cementitious (HSFRC) thin plinths that are used to close gaps between bearing pads and precast girders. An experimental program was developed for this purpose where HSFRC plinths of different size were cast and tested under vertical loads that simulate bridge loading in service. The structural performance of the plinths was closely monitored during testing, mainly crack propagation, vertical reaction and displacement. Analytically, the HSFRC plinth was analyzed using the beam on elastic foundation theory as the supporting elastomeric bearing pads are highly compressible. Closed form solutions were derived for induced displacement and forces and comparisons were made between analytical and experimental results. Finally, recommendations were made to facilitate the practical use of HSFRC plinths in bridge construction based on its enhanced load carrying capacity in shear and flexure.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.1-6
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• 2002

In order to apply seismic isolators to low-cost buildings, seismic isolators have to be low-cost and light. In this paper fiber reinforced strip form isolator in which the steel plates of conventional rubber bearing were replaced by fiber was proposed. The proposed fiber reinforced strip form isolator was designed, fabricated, cut and subjected to vertical test and horizontal test. Therefore, fiber reinforced strip form isolator was to be shown valid in the view point of fabrication and application to desired size. The horizontal test and vertical test have shown that fiber reinforce strip form isolator could be replaced the rubber isolator. By these results, low-cost and light seismic isolator can be applied to the low-cost building.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2001.09a
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• pp.415-422
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• 2001

In this paper, the experimental study was carried out in order to compare the mechanical characteristics of multi-layer elastomeric isolation hearings where the reinforceing elements steel plates case and fiber-reinforcement case. Fiber-reinforced isolater which has the same dimension as the steel reinforced isolator had shown better efficiency in effective damping than NRB. The compression test has shown the corresponding results with the theoretical vertical stiffness in the case of flexible reinforcement. The fiber-reinforced isolator will be significantly lighter and could lead to a much less labor intensive manufacturing process.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2002.03a
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• pp.409-416
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• 2002

In order to apply seismic isolators to the low-cost buildings, seismic isolators have to be low-cost and light. In this paper fiber reinforced strip form isolator in which the steel plates of conventional rubber bearing was replaced by fiber was proposed. The proposed fiber reinforced strip form isolator was designed, fabricated, cut and subjected to vertical test and harizontal test. Therefore fiber reinforced strip form isolator was to be shown valid in the view point of fabrication and application to desired size. The harizontal test and vertical test have shown that fiber reinforced strip form isolator could replace the rubber isolator. By these results, low-cost and light seismic isolator can be applied to the low-cost building. These fiber reinforced strip form isolator can be applied to the low-cost building.