Study on design procedure of three-dimensional building base isolation system using thick rubber bearing

In this study, design procedure on three-dimensional base isolation system is developed. Base isolation system proposed by CRIEPI uses thick rubber bearing and damper as isolation device. As for thick rubber bearings, design formula for evaluating vertical stiffness is proposed, and design conditions regarding size and vertical pressure are investigated. Figure-U type lead damper is proposed as three-dimensional damper and by loading tests its mechanical characteristics is evaluated. The concept of multi-layered interconnected rubber bearing, which is advantageous over large scale bearing in manufacturability, is proposed and its good performance is confirmed by the loading test. Through the response analyses, it is shown the rocking response of the proposed three-dimensional base isolation system is very small and not influential to the system, and the reduction of the vertical response is attained using the proposed isolation device. (author)