NUMERICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF A NOVEL HYBRID SEISMIC ISOLATION SYSTEM

This study explores a novel hybrid seismic isolation system that combines a steel-reinforced elastomeric isolator with S-shaped steel dampers (SSSDs). The integration of SSSDs significantly enhances the system's damping properties, offering a practical alternative to conventional solutions like high-damping or lead-plug elastomeric isolators, with added benefits in terms of manufacturing cost, durability, environmental impact, and deformation capacity. The paper first introduces the experimental characterization of the elastomeric isolator with and without SSSDs, assessed through cyclic shear tests. Following this, it presents a simplified finite element model to support the application of the hybrid isolation system in structural contexts, with calibration and validation grounded in the experimental data. Experimental findings indicate that this hybrid isolation system, with its enhanced damping and practical advantages, holds considerable promise for advancing resilient and cost-effective seismic protection in modern structural engineering. Instead, numerical results demonstrate that the simplified model effectively captures the lateral behavior of the hybrid system, highlighting its potential for efficient use in broader numerical structural applications.