Frictional behavior of steel-PTFE interfaces for seismic isolation

The widespread use of sliding bearings for the seismic isolation of structures requires detailed knowledge of their behavior and improved modeling capability under seismic conditions. The paper summarizes the results of a large experimental investigation on steel–PTFE interfaces, aimed at evaluating the effects of sliding velocity, contact pressure, air temperature and state of lubrication on the mechanical behavior of steel-PTFE sliding bearings. Based on the experimental outcomes, two different mathematical models have been calibrated, which are capable of accounting for the investigated parameters in the evaluation of the sliding friction coefficient. The first model is basically an extension of the model proposed by Constantinou et al. (1990) Journal of Earthquake Engineering, 116(2), 455–472, while the second model is derived from the one proposed by Chang et al. (1990) Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 116, 2749–2763. Expressions of the model parameters as a function of bearing pressure and air temperature are presented for lubricated and non-lubricated sliding surfaces. Predicted and experimental results are finally compared.