Performance deterioration tests of rubber isolators for offshore bridges under marine environment

In order to investigate the performance deterioration law of rubber isolators under marin environment, a series of tests were conducted. After a comprehensive consideration of material composition, practical using load and the real environment of rubber bearing, the aging, marine corrosion and normal using load were taken as main influence factors of performance of the isolated bearing for offshore bridge, and aging marine corrosion and using load tests were put forward on several rubber bearings. Change law of bearing performance was analyzed in detail through comparing pre-test and post-test results. At last, partial safety factor considering the effects of environment and load was introduced in real engineering to estimate the mechanics performance of rubber bearing. The results show that the aging is the most unfavorable influence factor of all the factors for rubber bearing. Production quality of the isolated bearing is very important for its mechanics performance. Under the marine corrosion test, good quality rubber bearings are little influenced, but the performances of poor quality bearings will be influenced greatly. The marine corrosion and multiple actual loads would decrease the stiffness of rubber isolator, which means that these long-term effects may increase vertical deformation, causing internal damage of rubber bearings. Also, the stability, comfort and security of rubber bearings cannot be guaranteed during normal use.