Overview
ISO 22762-1:2018 - Elastomeric seismic-protection isolators - Part 1: Test methods specifies standardized laboratory and component test procedures for elastomeric seismic isolators. The document defines methods to determine (a) the properties of the rubber materials used to manufacture isolators and (b) the mechanical and durability characteristics of finished elastomeric isolators. It applies to isolators made of alternating elastomeric layers and reinforcing steel plates that are placed between a superstructure and its substructure to provide flexibility and damping against earthquake motions.
Key technical topics and requirements
The standard is organized into material and component test sections and normative annexes. Major technical topics include:
-
Rubber material tests (Clause 5)
- Tensile properties, hardness, adhesion, compression set
- Ageing tests (inner and cover rubber), ozone resistance, brittleness point
- Dynamic shear and fracture properties
-
Isolator tests (Clause 6)
- Compression and shear stiffness tests (static and dynamic)
- Compressive–shear interaction and dependence tests: strain, compressive preload, frequency, repeated deformation and temperature dependence
- Ultimate shear and tensile tests for isolator components
- Durability testing: degradation, creep, fatigue tests
- Reaction force measurement due to low-rate deformation
-
Normative and informative annexes
- Accelerated ageing equivalence to laboratory temperatures (23 °C or 27 °C)
- Corrections for inertia and friction, thermal expansion, alternative shear methods, detailed creep and durability investigations
The standard provides test-piece definitions, machine and instrumentation requirements, test conditions and procedures, methods for expressing results, and reporting requirements.
Practical applications and users
ISO 22762-1 is used to ensure reliable, repeatable characterization of elastomeric seismic isolators for buildings and bridges. Typical users include:
- Manufacturer and quality-control laboratories - to validate material batches and finished isolators against defined mechanical and durability criteria.
- Structural and seismic engineers - to select isolator products with verified stiffness, damping and long-term performance characteristics.
- Testing and certification bodies - for type testing, compliance verification and product certification.
- Research organizations - performing comparative studies on rubber formulations, aging and fatigue behaviour.
This part is applicable when applying the ISO 22762 series; designers should also consult ISO 22762-2 (bridges) and ISO 22762-3 (buildings) for product-specific requirements.
Related standards (brief)
- ISO 22762 series - Parts 2 and 3 provide design and product requirements specific to bridges and buildings.
- Other ISO/TC 45 documents on rubber test methods referenced normatively within the standard.
Keywords: ISO 22762-1, elastomeric seismic-protection isolators, test methods, seismic isolators, rubber material tests, compression shear stiffness, durability testing, fatigue test, bridge isolators, building isolators.