Draft Guidelines for Quality Control Testing of Elastomeric Seismic Isolation Systems.
Draft Guidelines for Quality Control Testing of
Elastomeric Seismic Isolation Systems.
(1223 K)
Shenton, H. W., III
NISTIR 5345; 33 p. February 1994.
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
(NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161.
Telephone:
1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000;
Fax: 703-605-6900; Rush
Service (Telephone Orders Only) 800-553-6847;
Website:
http://www.ntis.gov
Order number: PB94-161734
Keywords:
quality control; base isolation; building technology;
elastomeric; experiments; seismic isolation; standards;
tests
Abstract:
Seismic isolation systems designed according to the 1991
"Uniform Building Code", or the 1991 AASHTO "Guide
Specification for Seismic Isolation Design" are required
to undergo a series of prototype and quality control
tests before being installed in the structure. At the
present time standards do not exist for conducting these
tests and results are subject to unknown variability.
The document represents the initiation of the process to
develop standards for quality control testing of seismic
isolation systems built in the U.S. The guidelines are
devoted specifically to quality control testing of
elastomeric systems. The guidelines address material
and component tests to be conducted during production,
and tests on completed isolation units. Nine production
tests are specified in the guidelines. Three completed
isolation unit tests are outlined: sustained
compression, compression stiffness, and effective
stiffness and energy dissipation. Complete details of
the test set-up, test procedure, data acquisition,
analysis and reporting of results are given in the
guidelines. Performance criteria are established for
all tests, systems that do not meet these criteria may
not perform satisfactorily in service and should be set
aside for disposition by the engineer of record.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899