Simultaneous Replacement of Five Rubber Bearings In 10-Story Base Isolated Full-Scale Building with Confirmation of Their Fire Proof Properties

Abstract

Armenia was experiencing extremely hard times in 1993 when the research works on seismic isolation systems and development of the relevant technologies were initiated by the author of this paper. However, it should be expressly underscored that the time was hard not only owing to complicated economic situation, but also because of the need for permanent struggle of the author with conservatism, malevolence, envy and other negative manifestations of the opponents, bureaucrats and decision-makers in the field, which lasted for several years. One of the main objections of those who were causing barriers on the way of development of seismic isolation in the country was the conviction that it is impossible to replace the seismic isolation laminated rubber-steel bearings (SILRSBs) in the retrofitted or newly constructed buildings. It is well-known that due to the scientific and engineering works of the author Armenia is currently the second country in the world after Japan by the total number of seismic isolated newly constructed or retrofitted buildings per the number of residents. In the same time Armenia is the world leader in implementation of the developed by the author low-cost seismic isolation technologies. There is also another direction in seismic isolation where Armenia keeps its leadership in the world by showing the possibility of replacement of SILRSBs installed under the full-scale occupied buildings. This paper is dedicated to the author’s unique woks, who together with his engineering and technical staff, has demonstrated how already installed in different buildings SILRSBs can be, if necessary, replaced without interruption of the use of these buildings. Together with further development of seismic isolation in Armenia the author suggested a method of creation of seismic isolation systems applying clusters of SILRSBs under the columns, shear walls or load bearing walls. Paper describes how three and two bearings of neighboring clusters that were subjecte

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