Seismic isolation rubber bearings are high performance rubber support devices specifically designed for structural seismic and vibration mitigation. By extending the natural vibration period of the structure and increasing damping energy dissipation, they effectively reduce the dynamic response of the superstructure under earthquake action, protecting the safety of the building or bridge main body. Their working mechanism differs from conventional bearings, focusing on isolating and dissipating seismic energy rather than simply transferring vertical loads.
Based on functional characteristics, they can be divided into three main types. Natural rubber bearings (LNR) use high purity natural rubber to provide reliable elastic restoring capability with relatively low horizontal stiffness, primarily serving to extend the natural vibration period of the structure and shift the fundamental frequency away from the frequency band where seismic energy concentrates. Lead rubber bearings (LRB) have a lead core embedded in the center, utilizing the plastic deformation of lead to dissipate energy during earthquakes, offering both isolation and damping functions, and are a widely adopted seismic isolation solution. High damping rubber bearings (HDRB) use specially formulated rubber materials with inherently high damping properties, achieving good energy dissipation without the need for an additional lead core, resulting in a simpler structural configuration.
Products can be provided in various combinations of diameter, load capacity grade, horizontal stiffness and damping ratio according to design requirements, and can also be custom produced for specific projects, to match the seismic fortification demands of different building structures or bridge projects.
This type of bearing is widely used in hospitals, schools, emergency command centers and other public buildings with high seismic protection requirements, as well as bridge projects located in high seismic intensity zones.
