Critical load of slender elastomeric seismic isolators: an experimental perspective

One of the most important aspects of the seismic response of elastomeric isolators is their stability under large shear strains. The bearing capacity of elastomeric isolators, indeed, progressively degrades while increasing horizontal displacement. This may greatly influence the design of elastomeric isolators, especially in high seismicity regions, where slender elastomeric isolators subjected to large horizontal displacements are a common practice. In the current design approach the critical load is evaluated based on the Haringx theory, modified to account for large shear strains by approximate correction factors. In this paper the critical behavior of a pair of slender elastomeric devices is experimentally evaluated at different strain amplitudes, ranging from approximately 50% to 150%. The experimental results are then compared to the predictions of a number of semi-empirical and theoretical formulations. The main conclusion of this study is that current design approaches are overly conservative for slender elastomeric seismic isolators, since they underestimate their critical load capacity at moderate-to-large shear strain amplitudes.