Building Foundations Laminated Rubber Bearing: An Effective Solution for Seismic Isolation and Structural Support
Building foundations laminated rubber bearing is a crucial component in modern construction, especially in areas prone to earthquakes. It plays a significant role in enhancing the seismic performance of buildings and ensuring the safety of structures and their occupants.
Structure and Working Principle
- Structure: The laminated rubber bearing consists of alternating layers of thin rubber sheets and steel plates, which are bonded and vulcanized together. The rubber used is usually natural rubber or neoprene, known for their excellent elastic properties5. The steel plates provide reinforcement, increasing the bearing’s vertical stiffness and enabling it to bear heavy loads. Top and bottom mounting plates are attached for easy installation and connection to the upper and lower structures4.
- Working Principle: In terms of vertical load – bearing, when subjected to the weight of the upper structure, the rubber layers compress, evenly distributing and transferring the load to the foundation. The steel plates prevent excessive deformation, ensuring the bearing can handle large vertical forces. Under horizontal loads, such as those generated by earthquakes or wind, the rubber layers undergo shear deformation. This deformation allows the bearing to absorb and dissipate energy, reducing the transmission of horizontal forces to the upper structure. Additionally, the laminated rubber bearing has a self – centering ability. After the external force is removed, the rubber’s elastic force causes the bearing to return to its original position, helping the structure quickly regain stability.
Advantages
- Seismic Isolation: One of the most significant advantages of laminated rubber bearings is their excellent seismic isolation performance. By lengthening the natural vibration period of the building and increasing its damping, they can effectively reduce the seismic energy transferred to the structure, thereby protecting the building from earthquake damage.
- Good Adaptability: These bearings can adapt to various deformations of the building, including those caused by temperature changes, uneven settlement of the foundation, and small – amplitude vibrations. They can accommodate both horizontal and vertical displacements, ensuring the structural stability of the building under different conditions.
- Long Service Life: With proper design, installation, and maintenance, laminated rubber bearings have a long service life. The rubber material has good durability and aging – resistance, and the steel plates are corrosion – resistant. Under normal circumstances, their service life can reach 50 – 70 years.
- Cost – effectiveness: Compared to some other seismic – resistant technologies and materials, laminated rubber bearings are relatively cost – effective. They can significantly reduce the damage to buildings during earthquakes, reducing the costs of post – earthquake repairs and reconstructions. In the long run, they offer good value for money.
Applications
- Residential Buildings: In earthquake – prone areas, laminated rubber bearings are widely used in the construction of residential buildings. They can protect the safety of residents and their property during earthquakes, reducing the risk of building collapse. For example, in some newly – built residential communities in Japan and China’s earthquake – prone regions, laminated rubber bearings have been installed in the building foundations to improve seismic performance.
- Public Buildings: Public buildings such as hospitals, schools, and kindergartens have high requirements for seismic safety. The use of laminated rubber bearings can ensure the safety of these buildings during earthquakes, providing a reliable shelter for people. Take the Baoji Fengxiang District Nursing Home Project in China as an example. The project has a frame – shear wall structure with a seismic fortification intensity of 8 degrees. It uses a special laminated rubber bearing system to separate the foundation from the upper structure, prolonging the basic period of the upper structure and improving the seismic performance.
- Industrial Buildings: Industrial buildings, especially those with large – span structures and important equipment, also benefit from the use of laminated rubber bearings. They can protect the integrity of the building structure and the normal operation of the equipment during earthquakes, reducing economic losses.
Installation and Maintenance
- Installation: During the installation of laminated rubber bearings, accurate positioning and leveling are crucial. Firstly, a support pad stone needs to be set up at the installation site1. The plane size of the pad stone should be larger than that of the bearing, and its height should meet the requirements to ensure convenient installation, adjustment, and replacement of the bearing1. The bearing should be accurately placed on the pad stone according to the design requirements, and the connection with the upper and lower structures should be ensured to be firm and reliable. At the same time, the installation error should be strictly controlled within the allowable range to avoid affecting the performance of the bearing.
- Maintenance: Regular inspections and maintenance are required after the installation of laminated rubber bearings. Inspect the surface of the bearing regularly to check for any signs of damage, such as cracks, peeling, or deformation of the rubber. Check the tightness of the connection bolts and the corrosion situation of the steel plates. If any problems are found, timely repairs or replacements should be carried out to ensure the normal operation of the bearing.
In conclusion, building foundations laminated rubber bearing is an important technology and product in the field of modern construction. It provides effective protection for buildings in earthquake – prone areas with its excellent seismic isolation performance, good adaptability, long service life, and cost – effectiveness. With the continuous development of construction technology, laminated rubber bearings will be further improved and widely applied, making important contributions to improving the safety and reliability of buildings.
Boost bridge performance with our durable rubber bridge bearings. Designed to absorb shocks, distribute loads, and withstand extreme weather, these bearings enhance structural stability and reduce maintenance costs. Made from high-quality rubber, they offer superior resistance to abrasion and chemicals. Easy to install and compliant with global standards, our bearings are the reliable choice for engineers seeking long-lasting, efficient support for bridges of all sizes.
