The effect of temperature on the lateral response of unbonded fiber-reinforced elastomeric isolators

Base isolation is a method that can be employed to significantly reduce the demands on a structure during a seismic event. This method has shown considerable success in reducing the adverse effects of earthquakes, including damage and loss of life. The main concept of base isolation is to rcduce the seismic demand on a structure by placing isolators beneath the superstructure at points where load is transferred to the foundation. One of the most commonly used types of isolator is the elastomeric isolator. These isolators are traditionally comprised of layers of elastomer and steel. More recently, research has been completed on the use of fibers as a replacement to the steel reinforcement layers, in order to rcduce weight and potentially reduce costs. Fiber reinforced elastomeric isolators (FREI) can be placed (unbonded) between the superstructure and its foundation. This research investigates the behaviour of unbonded fiber-reinforced elastomeric isolators (U-FREI) under lateral deformations expected during seismic events. The objective of this study is to investigate the lateral behaviour of FREI under a range of temperatures, representative of those expected in various regions throughout Canada. Results from preliminary experimental tests show that the influence of temperature on the lateral response of U-FREI is negligible under the range of temperatures considered.