Sliding pendulum seismic isolator

Sliding pendulum isolators basically consist of one or two main spherical sliding surfaces and one articulation allowing relative rotation

Main sliding surface shall provide displacement capability and energy dissipation through friction

Friction value shall be in accordance with the design requirements

Secondary sliding surface shall provide relative rotation capability between the lower and the upper part of the isolator

Sliding material of the secondary sliding surface shall have as low as possible friction coefficient

Normally it is dimpled lubricated and may be PTFE according to EN 1337.2 or other approved material

Material utilized in HIPEND isolators is normally the so called FLOWGO, un-dimpled and un-lubricated

FLOWGO is an innovative sliding material, based on a thermoplastic resin suitably modified to reduce its friction coefficient and increase its characteristic compression strength

Superior mechanical properties of FlowGo in comparison with the other most common sliding materials are clearly put in evidence in the following diagram

Resistance to heat is an essential requirement for the use in energy dissipation devices like the Sliding Pendulum Isolators because the heat generated by the energy dissipation can raise the temperature over 100°C

Tests are performed in accordance with EN 15129

To test sliding pendulum isolators it is always required dynamic equipment with dynamic control over 2 axes at least

HIRUN is equipped with his own bi-axial dynamic testing equipment

Performances of the testing equipment available in Wuhan are the following:

• Dynamic vertical load: 20.000kN

• Dynamic horizontal load: 2500kN

• Horizontal stroke: 500mm

• Horizontal velocity: 500mm/s