Nonlinear Rate Dependent Model of High Damping Rubber Bearing

The accurate analysis of the response of isolated structures requires the application of appropriate models of isolation devices. The purpose of this paper is to analyse a nonlinear strain rate dependent model of a high damping rubber bearing which simulates the horizontal behaviour of the device under specified vertical load using a nonlinear elastic spring-dashpot element. The effectiveness of the model is checked by fitting the experimental data concerning three different rubber bearings. The results of the study show that the model can simulate the bearing behaviour over a wide shear strain range with small simulation errors.