ELASTOMERIC BASE ISOLATION SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC MITIGATION OF LOW-RISE STRUCTURES

Seismic base isolation is a passive way of achieving seismic response control by introducing isolators between foundation and super structure. Isolator performs three functions: horizontal flexibility, energy dissipation and rigidity against normal lateral loads. Lead Rubber bearing isolators performs these functions efficiently. By reducing the horizontal stiffness of the system, it increases the time period of the structure and decreases the spectral acceleration of the structure. The superstructure acts like a rigid body, thus inter storey drift is reduced. Such type of isolators are used in practice in India, yet a proper design procedure based on IS code is unavailable.