3D Numerical simulations of elastomeric bearings for bridges

Abstract Multilayer elastomeric isolation can be considered a well-known solution with many applications in the last 20 years in the infrastructure arena. In particular, isolation has been extensively applied for pier and abutment protection, in order to strengthen bridges against earthquakes. Elastomeric bearings can be subjected to large axial loads and lateral displacements during strong earthquakes, which induce potentially buckling effects. The recent Forcellini and Kelly (J Eng Mech 140(6):04014036, 2014) model allows to take into account large deformation response of a bearing when buckling occurs. This paper aims at verifying this theory using experimental results and numerical simulations. First of all, test results are taken from Nagarajaiah and Ferrell (J Struct Eng 125:946–954, 1999) and compared with the developed theory. Then, numerical simulations have been performed by applying OpenSees.