Development of novel low-cost isolator UMELI (unbonded mesh elastomeric layered isolator): experimental investigations

Seismic isolation is a highly efficacious method for reducing the seismic load on structures. This technique is widely adopted to safeguard structures from earthquakes. Despite the promising results demonstrated by numerous isolation techniques, their implementation remains a significant challenge,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2024-08, Vol.14 (1), p.19801-13
Main Authors: Md, Zoheb Nawaz, S C, Mohan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
639/166
639/166/986
Construction
Design
Developing countries
Earthquakes
Elastomers
Experimental investigation
Humanities and Social Sciences
LDCs
Load
Manufacturing
Manufacturing industry
Masonry
multidisciplinary
Rubber
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Seismic activity
Seismic engineering
Seismic isolation
Shear strain
Unbonded mesh elastomeric layered isolator
Unreinforced elastomeric isolator
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Summary:Seismic isolation is a highly efficacious method for reducing the seismic load on structures. This technique is widely adopted to safeguard structures from earthquakes. Despite the promising results demonstrated by numerous isolation techniques, their implementation remains a significant challenge, particularly in developing countries, due to the high costs associated with manufacturing. Therefore, a novel and affordable base isolation technique has been proposed, namely unbonded mesh elastomeric layered isolator (UMELI). UMELI consists of steel mesh sandwiched between the unbonded layers of elastomers, resulting in an affordable isolator to be used for lightweight, low-rise structures. One of the crucial characteristics of this novel isolator is that it does not require a specialised manufacturing process unlike other elastomeric isolators. In the present study, experimental investigations are conducted to evaluate the dynamic characteristics such as dynamic vertical stiffness, equivalent lateral stiffness, and equivalent viscous damping ratio of UMELI. Its characteristics were studied for different layered isolators and are compared with the unreinforced elastomeric isolator. The investigations have demonstrated the effectiveness of the UMELI by increasing its vertical stiffness and reducing lateral stiffness, thereby enhancing the isolation period with the addition of a steel mesh layer.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-70927-0