Base Isolators

Base isolators consist of a laminated rubber and steel bearing with steel flange plates for mounting to the structure. Ninety percent of our isolators have an energy dissipating lead core.

New construction or retrofits
For more than two and a half decades Dynamic Isolation
Systems has been helping architects, engineers, businesses and institutions match the right earthquake protection technology to the specific needs and requirements of their individual structures.

Isolator Function
The rubber in the isolator acts as a spring. It is very soft laterally but very stiff vertically. The high ertical stiffness is achieved by having thin layers of rubber reinforced by steel shims. These two haracteristics allow the isolator to move laterally with relatively low stiffness yet carry significant axial load due to their high vertical stiffness. The lead core provides damping by deforming plastically when the isolator moves laterally in an earthquake.

Size Ranges
Isolators from 12 to 60 inches in diameter with capacities of up to 4,000 tons are manufactured. Custom dimensions are available for special applications.

Fabrication
The shims for isolators are cut to exacting tolerances by laser. The steel mounting plates are machined by computer-controlled milling machines that give high production throughput and accuracy. Molding each bearing takes 8 to 48 hours depending on the size of the bearing. The curing phase is continuously monitored to ensure that the rubber is uniformly cured throughout the bearing.