Development of Elastomeric with HDPE Filler

Abstract

-An earthquake, being a catastrophic event, possesses the potential to induce significant structural damage, particularly to buildings. Henceforth, it is imperative to incorporate seismic protection measures into the design and construction of buildings. Over the course of the past two decades, there has been a notable surge in the adoption and implementation of seismic engineering methodologies. Utilizing an isolation system is a viable approach to implementing seismic protection measures. The fundamental operational concept of the isolation system entails the transmission of seismic activity from an impending earthquake to the isolation system prior to its infiltration into the primary structure. Subsequently, the implementation of the isolation system shall effectively mitigate the seismic forces, thereby ensuring that the oscillation experienced by the superstructure remains within acceptable limits. One of the numerous classifications of isolation system encompasses the Lead Core Rubber Bearing, commonly referred to as LCRB. The prolonged utilization of lead within the isolation  core may result in soil contamination. In this study, isolation  bearings with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) filler core system were developed. These bearings incorporate a locally sourced rubber material known as PCLRB (HDPE Core Local Rubber Bearing). The purpose of this development is to enhance the performance of the base isolation in effectively dissipating seismic energy during earthquakes. The substitution of the lead core with HDPE is recommended due to HDPE's superior capacity to enhance damping, dissipate energy, and improve bearing stiffness. In order to assess the performance of bearings constructed with filler-core local rubber bearing systems, it is imperative to analyze the behavior of the HDPE core. This can be achieved through the use of finite element analysis. The numerical findings demonstrate the efficacy of the base isolator employing a regional rubber-bearing core filler core system that imparts heightened damping, substantial stiffness, and mitigates lateral locking. The implementation of PCLRB (HDPE Core Local Rubber Bearing) has the potential to effectively mitigate the detrimental effects induced by seismic events.