Numerical modeling of elastomeric seismic isolators for determining force–displacement curve from cyclic loading

The ideal performance of seismic isolating systems during the past earthquakes has proved them to be very useful in protecting structures against earthquakes. The cyclic loading experimental tests are an important part in the process of completing the design of the isolators, yet they are very expensive and time consuming. Using the accurate analytical modeling of hysteresis tests and knowing the limitations and the amount of error of the finite elements model and its effect on designing the isolated structure make it possible to reduce the financial and time expenses involved in designing seismic isolators along with experimental tests. In the present study, the cyclic loading of two different isolating systems, namely, the high damping rubber bearing (HDRB) and lead rubber bearing (LRB) have been modeled and analyzed in ABAQUS and the outcomes were compared with the experimental results attained by other researchers. Regarding the fact that the most important and complicated component of the elastomeric isolating system is rubber, it was modeled using various strain energy functions. Other factors affecting the finite elements models of elastomeric isolators were also studied. After comparing the effective stiffness of the experimental sample with the analytical model of HDRB, the Yeoh function had the best performance in determining the effective stiffness of the isolating system with an error of less than 7%. In studying LRBs, too, three types of bearings with different dimensions and lateral strain values were studied; the polynomial function in shear strain value of 150% had the best performance in estimating effective stiffness and damping with errors of less than 3% and 18%, respectively.