Coupled horizontal-vertical stability of bearings under dynamic loading

Summary In this study, the coupled horizontal–vertical behavior of elastomeric bearings subjected to dynamic loading is studied in detail. Under extreme dynamic loading, elastomeric bearings exhibit unstable behavior and an instantaneous loss of horizontal stiffness that is recoverable. Building on an earlier study where the authors developed an analytical model for the horizontal behavior of bearings under dynamic loads, in this study, a new analytical model for the coupled horizontal–vertical behavior of the bearings is developed. The coupled behavior of the bearing is first studied for quasi‐static loading, and later, the behavior of the bearings under dynamic loading is studied. A clear distinction is made between different types of deformation the bearing undergoes in the vertical direction. Based on experimental results, it is observed that the behavior of the bearings under dynamic loading differs markedly from that observed under static loading. A new analytical model is proposed that can account for the coupled horizontal–vertical behavior of the bearings under dynamic loading. The proposed analytical model for predicting the post‐stability vertical behavior of the bearings is verified using experimental results. The model proposed is found to successfully predict the coupled horizontal–vertical behavior of elastomeric bearings. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.