HIGH DAMPING RUBBER

BEARING DESIGN
FOR
APPROACH BRIDGE
Kamarudin Ab-Malek

Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (TARRC)

A RESEARCH & PROMOTION CENTRE OF THE MALAYSIAN RUBBER BOARD

www.tarrc.co.uk

125-year old viaduct bridge in Melbourne Australia,

but still heavily trafficked structure

Schematic of 125-year old Melbourne Viaduct

Closed-up view of the rubber pad being squeezed out at

the edge

A cut section of the 125-year old rubber from

Melbourne Australia still in good condition

1 division is 1mm

A typical modern rubber bearing for bridges

Pelham Bridge built in 1956 in Lincoln, England

Bridge bearings allow the deck to expand and contract
The worlds first
bridge installed with
rubber bearings

A bearing under the Pelham bridge

A bearing being removed for testing

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Albany Court apartment above St. James

Underground Railway Station, London
The worlds first
building installed
with rubber
bearings
to prevent
transmission
of vibrations
caused
by moving trains.
The building was
completed in 1966.

Albany Court apartment built on rubber bearings

over a London underground railway station

1995 KOBE EARTHQUAKE

7.2 Richter
Required more than
US$400 billion to rebuild
Kobe
The costliest earthquake in
world history
5,502 killed, 41,527 injured
300,000 homeless
100,282 buildings destroyed
108,402 partially destroyed

Kobe 1995 damages to bridges

FAILED PIVOT BEARING

FAILED PIN BEARING

FAILED STEEL ROLLER BEARINGS

FAILED STEEL BEARINGS

Before Kobe, less than

5% of Japanese bridges
installed with rubber
bearings. After Kobe,
over 95% of newly-built
bridges are installed
with rubber bearings

NAGOYA BRIDGE, completed in 1999

7 span, box girder, 320m. Isolator 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.24 m
Maximum movement: 0.35m
Supporting load: 16 MN/pc

Totsukawa bridge built in 2002

3 span box girder, 175 m
Isolator: 1.7 x 1.6 x 0.3 m
Max movement: 0.40 m
Supporting load: 18.8 MN

Nishinomiya bridge
Max movement: 0.24 m
Supporting load: 21.4 MN/pc
Built in 2002

Bearing:1.5 x 1.5 x 0.36 m

Old structure

Metal bearings
RESTORATION OF 700m BENTEN SECTION A continuous span rigidly
jointed to piers. Bearings are installed at the bottom of piers first of its kind

New structure

New structure

A bearing at the bottom of a pier

THE BEARING IS COVERED FROM BEING DAMAGED

RESTORATION OF FUKAE SECTION

Buildings
response

ground
motion

Conventional Structure

Base-Isolated Structure

Amplification of forces
Large interstory drift
Contents destroyed
Requires costly repair

No amplification of forces
Contents are protected
No interstory drift
No costly repair

Acceleration Response Spectrum

Acceleration

Period or Frequency Shift

Period
Frequency

Tall buildings are inherently safe from earthquake

damage

Chi-Chi Taiwan Earthquake on the 21/9/1999

Effect on reinforced concrete buildings
No of buildings
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
1
1-3

2
4-6

3
7-11

Building height (storey)

4
12-14

FOOTHILL COMMUNITIES LAW & SERVICE

CENTRE, SAN BERNADINO, CALIFORNIA USA

First building (4-story) in the world to use natural rubber

bearings to withstand up to 8.3 Richter
Completed in 1985 at a cost of US$38 Million
Total number of bearings are 98
The owner of the building, San Bernadino County, decided
on base isolation on the 11th hour - a bold decision
considering this is the first in the world

INSTALLED BEARINGS UNDERNEATH A BUILDING

A SEISMIC BEARING BEING SHEARED AND COMPRESSED TO

SIMULATE EARTHQUAKE

USC UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA
Completed May 1991, construction cost US$50 Million
Seven stories and sits on 149 rubber bearings (1.5%)
Performed very well during and after 1994 Northridge
earthquake
Northridge earthquake was the most costly in the US
history: US$50 billion
31 other hospitals in LA
suffered significant
damage,
9 hospitals required full
evacuation

Comparison between the two hospitals

225% increase in force

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
B

0.11g

0.49g
0.13g

1.30g
Amplification of forces

Amplification of forces

70% reduction in force

0.40g

0.40g

0.37g

Using Rubber Bearings

USC required no repair and
operational before and after the
earthquake

Conventional
LA County General Hospital
Suffered US$400 million damage

WEST JAPAN POSTAL SERVICE

COMPUTER CENTRE IN KOBE
6 Story,
500,000 sq ft space,
supported on
120 bearings

Response during Kobes 1995

Ground

Isolated
0.30g

Conventional
0.27g

6th Floor

0.10g

0.97g

67 %
reduction

260 %
amplification

MATSUMURA GUMI TECHNICAL RESEARCH CENTER

Response during Kobes 1995

Isolated

Conventional

Ground

0.28g

0.28g

Roof

0.20g

0.98g

29 %
reduction

250 %
amplification

Earthquakes around Malaysia 1897-2004

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WHY WE IN MALAYSIA SHOULD NOT

BE COMPLACENT TO EARTHQUAKES
Damaging earthquakes had taken place in
unexpected places around the world
1989 in Newcastle near Sydney Australia, causing
US15 billion damage
1993 Maharastra, India 30,000 people killed
1985 Mexico city, epicentre 400km away
1976 Tansang, China killing 250,000 killed

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nd
2

Can the
Penang Bridge
withstand future
damaging
earthquakes?

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Site Specific Ground Response Spectra

0.35

TR2500, = 5%

Spectral acceleration (g)

0.3

TR475, = 5%

0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
0.01

0.1

Period (s)

10

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Seismic Loadings
1. Earthquake events
a) Design Earthquake: 475 year return period
Bridge structures may need minor repairs
b) Maximum Credible Earthquake: 2500 years
return period. Should not result in collapse of
the bridge
2. Seismic Response Spectra
Report on Seismic Hazard Assessment for Penang
Bridge Peak Bedrock Accelerations (PBA) of the
Design Earthquake
PBA= 0.056 g for 475 year return period
PBA=0.11g for 2500 year return period
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Typical Sea Section Span Configuration

Original design
uses pot
bearings
adequate
for 475

bearings

Under 2500
failure in the
piles and
the deck

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Nonlinear Time History Analysis

Seismic Analysis
Model for piers
P45 to P51
Adjacent span effect
included
Bilinear model for
the Isolators
k1= 12.8 kN/mm
k2 = 3.94 kN/mm
dy = 14.5 mm
Time History
(TR 2500) at
surface borehole
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Results of Time History Analysis carried out

by Highway Planning & Design Institute
(Tongji University) on P45 to P51
1. By using high damping rubber bearings the
approach span piling system would be able to
withstand the impact of 2500 year return period
earthquake,
2. The results also show that the superstructure of
the approach span is well protected by the
rubber bearings from the 2500 year return
period earthquake
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Design Criteria
1. Design Life of 120 years with serviceable life of 25 years- BS5400
2. Design Standards
Non Seismic Condition:
BS5400 : 1983 Part 9 Bridge bearings (non-seismic conditions)
Seismic Conditions:
EN 1990 0 Basis of Structural Design
EN 1998 8 Design of Structures for Earthquake Resistance
1998-1 General rules, Seismic design for Building
1998-2 Bridges
1998-2 section 7 augmented by
EN 15129 Anti-seismic devices

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Bearings SLS Data

Bearing Identification mark
Loads
[KN]

Vertical

Reversible
Transverse
Reversible
Reversible
Translations [mm]
Reversible
Longitudinal
Reversible
Irreversible
Rotation
[radians]

Longitudinal
Transverse

Permanent
Maximum

E1
6800
13500

E2
7000
13950

E3
3400
8000

E4
6900
13600

Minimum

5000

5300

2150

5100

50
15
20
10
15
100
+ 0.004
+ 0.004
0.002
0.002

50
20
20
10
20
140
+ 0.009
+ 0.005
0.002
0.002

50
15
20
10
5
5
+ 0.004
+ 0.004
0.002
0.002

Wind
50
Traffic
15
Wind
20
Traffic
10
Temperature
10
Creep & shrink
50
Permanent
+ 0.004
+ 0.004
Live
0.002
Live
0.002

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Bearings SLS Data

Bearing Identification mark
Loads
[KN]

Vertical

Reversible
Transverse
Reversible
Reversible
Translations [mm]
Reversible
Longitudinal
Reversible
Irreversible
Rotation
[radians]

Longitudinal
Transverse

Permanent
Maximum

E1
6800
13500

E2
7000
13950

E3
3400
8000

E4
6900
13600

Minimum

5000

5300

2150

5100

50
15
20
10
15
100
+ 0.004
+ 0.004
0.002
0.002

50
20
20
10
20
140
+ 0.009
+ 0.005
0.002
0.002

50
15
20
10
5
5
+ 0.004
+ 0.004
0.002
0.002

Wind
50
Traffic
15
Wind
20
Traffic
10
Temperature
10
Creep & shrink
50
Permanent
+ 0.004
+ 0.004
Live
0.002
Live
0.002

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Bearings SLS Data

Bearing Identification mark
Loads
[KN]

Vertical

Reversible
Transverse
Reversible
Reversible
Translations [mm]
Reversible
Longitudinal
Reversible
Irreversible
Rotation
[radians]

Longitudinal
Transverse

Permanent
Maximum

E1
6800
13500

E2
7000
13950

E3
3400
8000

E4
6900
13600

Minimum

5000

5300

2150

5100

50
15
20
10
15
100
+ 0.004
+ 0.004
0.002
0.002

50
20
20
10
20
140
+ 0.009
+ 0.005
0.002
0.002

50
15
20
10
5
5
+ 0.004
+ 0.004
0.002
0.002

Wind
50
Traffic
15
Wind
20
Traffic
10
Temperature
10
Creep & shrink
50
Permanent
+ 0.004
+ 0.004
Live
0.002
Live
0.002

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Bearings ULS Data 2500 year return

Bearing Identification mark

Loads [KN]
Translations [mm]
Rotation [radians]

Vertical
Transverse
Longitudinal
Longitudinal
Transverse

Max
Min

E1
2200
-2200
100
100
0.010
0.001

E2
2200
-2200
100
100
0.010
0.001

E3
1100
-1100
100
100
0.012
0.001

E4
2200
-2200
100
100
0.010
0.001

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Bearings Location within 6 Spans Modules

E3

E2

E1

E4

E1

E2

E3

E3

E2

E1

E4

E1

E2

E3

E3

E2

E1

E4

E1

E2

E3

E3

E2

E1

E4

E1

E2

E3

Centreline of
bridge

Key
E1 HDRB
E3

HDRB with preset

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Bearing design was governed by 3 parameters

1. Conditions imposed by EN1529 and BS5400
2. Maximum bearing dimensions because
of limited space on top of piers
3. The period of the bridge is aimed to be
2 seconds

T = 2(M/K)

M= mass of structure
K= shear stiffness of rubber bearings

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Bearings details and properties

Type 1 bearings - E1, E2 and E4 only differ in preset displacement

Type 2 bearings - E3, smaller plan area to achieve lower shear stiffness
15 rubber layers of 16mm thickness
14 steel reinforcing layers of 5mm thickness
20mm thick steel endplates and 10mm rubber side cover layers
E4
E1
E2
E3
Length (mm) 1050 1050 1050
850
Width (mm) 850
850
850
700
Height (mm) 350
350
350
350
Preset Displacement (mm) locked
0
50
70
Shear Stiffness 44% strain (kN/mm) 5.0
5.0
5.0
3.3
Nominal Vertical Stiffness (MN/mm) 3.2
3.2
3.2
1.7
Shape Factor 14.4
14.4
14.4
11.7
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The test facility :

2000 tons compression
200 tons shear load
+/- 500mm shear
displacement

COMPRESSION TEST

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Compression test force-deflection curve

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Compression stiffness test for prototype Type 1 bearing

Force (kN)
Force 1

Displacement (mm)

Force 2 Displacement 1 Displacement 2

Vertical
Stiffness
(kN/mm)

Visual
Inspection

13689.2 4519.4

8.931

5.338

2552.1

No defects

13870.5 4629.1

8.900

5.213

2506.5

No defects

Average Vertical Stiffness (kN/mm)

2529.3

Test Temperature (C)

32

EN 15129 requires to report this prototype compression stiffness.

The vertical stiffness of production bearings must be within 30% of this.
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Compression stiffness test for prototype

Type 2 bearing
Force (kN)

Displacement (mm)

Displacement
Force 1 Force 2
1

Vertical
Visual
Displacement Stiffness Inspection
(kN/mm)
2

7841.3 2606.2

8.287

4.988

1586.9

No defects

8059.6 2661.2

8.987

5.525

1559.3

No defects

Average Vertical Stiffness (kN/mm)

1573.1

Test Temperature (C)

32

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SHEAR TEST PREPARATION TAKES ABOUT 4 HOURS

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Bearings are ready for the shear test

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SIMULTANEOUS COMPRESSION AND SHEAR

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SIMULTANEOUS SHEAR AND COMPRESSION TEST

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Shear Stiffness and Damping Ratio for prototype

Type 1 bearing
Shear
Displacement
(mm)
12
24
48
104
180
210

Shear Stiffness
(kN/mm)

Damping Ratio
(%)

11.3
20.8
8.9
18.3
6.7
15.0
5.5 (4.0 to 6.0) 12.5 (9.5 to 14.5)
4.9
10.9
4.6
10.6
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Shear Stiffness and Damping Ratio for prototype

Type 2 bearings

Shear
Displacement
(mm)
12
24
48

Shear
Stiffness
(kN/mm)
8.4
6.0
4.9

104

3.9 (2.6 to 3.9)

12.2(9.5 to 14.5)

180
240

3.5
3.1

10.5
9.6

Damping Ratio
(%)
18.8
16.7
14.8

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Test load in compression for lateral capacity test

Bearings are sheared to 297mm

Bearing Type

Type 1
Type 2

Compression Load
(kN)
5800
15050
2300
9800

The bearings undergo simultaneous shear and compression.

At 297mm shear the bearings were inspected and no sign of
surface cracks and imperfection
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Bearings undergoing 297mm deflection

with 15050kN compression load

Shear Stiffness Distribution Plot for Type 1 Production

Bearings (----- indicates upper and lower bound of the
design value)
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Shear Stiffness Distribution Plot for Type 2 Bearings

(----- indicates upper and lower bound of the design value)

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Damping Ratio Distribution Plot for Type 1 Production

Bearings (----- indicates upper and lower bound of the
design value)
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Damping Ratio Distribution Plot for Type 2 Production Bearings

(----- indicates upper and lower bound of the design value)
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Bearings Location within 6 Spans Modules

E3

E2

E1

E4

E1

E2

E3

E3

E2

E1

E4

E1

E2

E3

E3

E2

E1

E4

E1

E2

E3

E3

E2

E1

E4

E1

E2

E3

Centreline of
bridge

Key
E1 HDRB
E3

HDRB with preset

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Bearings under shear so that preset locking plates

can be installed

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Installed bearings with preset locking plates

Patent Application Submitted

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Bearings with locking plates removed

Patent Application Submitted

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Physical properties of the High Damping Rubber

Property

Test Results

Requirement

Test Method

Tensile Strength MPa, min

22

12

ISO 37 Type 2

Elongation at break %, min

521

400

ISO 37 Type 2

Tear resistance kN/m, min

15

ISO 34a Method A

22

60

ISO 815 Type A

25%
compression

No cracks

No cracks

ISO 1431/1

Compression set 70C, 24h, max

Ozone resistance
Elongation 30% - 96h
40C 2C
Concentration: 25pphm
Accelerated air oven ageing
7 days at 70C
Maximum change from unaged value:
Hardness (IRHD)
Tensile strength (%)
Elongation at break (%)

ISO 188, Method A

+3
+0.5
-8

-5, +8
15
25

ISO 48
ISO 37 Type 2
ISO 37 Type 2
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Dynamic testing of rubber

Rubber sample

Dynamic shear modulus and damping (3rd cycle)

carried out at 0.5Hz frequency
Rubber Shear
Strain(%)

Shear Modulus
G(MPa)

Damping Ratio,
(%)

5
10
20
44
50
80
100
150

3.00
2.04
1.84
1.43
1.36
1.20
1.17
1.20

16.0
14.3
12.2
10.4
10.1
9.5
9.1
8.4
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Test results for effect of frequency

(3rd cycle) and at 100% amplitude
Frequency
(%)

Damping
Ratio,
(%)

0.1
0.5
2.0

10.1
10.3
10.8

Difference from the

value at
0.5Hz
(%)
1.9
4.9
-

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Effect of anaerobic ageing on shear modulus (3rd cycle)

Ageing
Condition
14 days at 70C
Before ageing
After ageing

Shear
Modulus, G
(MPa)
1.54
1.73

Difference
(%)

+12.3

Effect of anaerobic ageing on damping ratio (3rd cycle)

Ageing
Condition
14 days at 70C
Before ageing
After ageing

Damping
Ratio,
(%)
11.3
10.6

Difference
(%)
-6.2
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Test results for stability under repeated cycling

Cycle
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Shear
Modulus, G
(MPa)
1.31
1.28
1.26
1.25
1.24
1.24
1.23
1.23
1.23
1.22

Damping
Ratio,
(%)
12.5
11.9
11.8
11.7
11.6
11.6
11.5
11.6
11.5
11.5
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Ratio of shear modulus and damping ratio

Minimum G (cycles 2-10)

Maximum G (cycles 2-10)
Minimum (cycles 2-10)
Maximum (cycles 2-10)
Minimum G (cycles 1-10)
Maximum G (cycles 1-10)

1.22
1.28
11.5
11.9
1.22
1.31

Ratio

Requirement

0.95

>0.7

0.97

>0.7

0.93

>0.6

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Crack extension within 24 hours

Test Piece
1
2
3

Crack
extension
0.634
0.520
0.310

Requirement
<3mm
<3mm
<3mm

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Semi intelligent bearings:

the stiffness varies with different strains
ss

Stiff under normal condition

Shear Stiffness (kN/mm)

12

10

Type 1 bearing
6

Type 2 bearing

Soft under large strains

50

100

150

Displacement Amplitude (mm)

200

250

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ACKNOWLEDMENTS
Hamid Ahmadi, Dr A Muhr, Dr Julia Gough,
I. Stephen and J. Pickens,
Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre, UK
Dr Nazirah Ahmad, Lee Jiang Jun
and Mohammad Umar Zulkefli
Rubber Technology Centre, Sg Buloh
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Thank you
for
your
attention
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