Graphic Procedure for the Optimum Design of Elastomeric Isolators

Abstract

A simple graphic procedure for the optimum design of elastomeric seismic isolation devices is proposed. Starting from the design requirements concerning a base-isolated building, such as the device’s stiffness, maximum displacement, and vertical load, as well as the code checks on the device, the procedure allows defining the optimum values of the mechanical and geometrical parameters, such as rubber shear modulus, diameter, and thickness, and the number of rubber and steel layers. In more detail, the procedure allows for first identifying the ranges of the geometrical characteristics through a graphic representation of code checks in terms of the rubber’s diameter and volume, and then their specific values that allow one to obtain the optimum solution according to the design requirements for any fixed values of the mechanical characteristics of the materials. The graphic representation represents a suitable tool to better understand the role and influence of the different checks. The procedure can be easily automated by means of a computer code.