Overview
ISO 22762-6:2022 - "Elastomeric seismic-protection isolators - Part 6: High-durability and high-performance specifications and test methods" defines specifications and test methods for elastomeric seismic isolators intended to provide buildings with robust earthquake protection. The standard applies to multilayered rubber bearings (alternate elastomeric layers and reinforcing steel plates) used between a superstructure and substructure to deliver flexibility, damping and energy dissipation at the isolation frequency. ISO 22762-6 targets high-durability and high-performance requirements for important buildings and sites subject to frequent, large earthquakes.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Grades and performance levels: Introduces three grades (I, II, III). Grade I aligns with ISO 22762-3 for standard buildings; Grades II and III impose increasingly stringent requirements for critical structures and seismic-prone sites.
- Mechanical properties: Detailed requirements and test methods for compressive stiffness (Kv), shear properties, and tensile properties, including dependencies on load, temperature and shear strain.
- Durability testing: Procedures for cumulative shear strain assessment, horizontal shear creep, residual shear strain tests and durability-related acceptance criteria.
- Ultimate capacity tests: Horizontal biaxial loading tests and procedures to determine ultimate properties, buckling and breaking characteristics.
- Test-piece and sampling rules: Number, scale and preparation of test pieces for type testing and routine verification.
- Material and component requirements: Specifications for rubber material, reinforcing steel plates, flanges and lead material (for lead-rubber bearings).
- Marking, labelling and documentation: Mandatory information to accompany isolators and examples of acceptable labelling.
- Quality assurance: Manufacturer quality control, test reporting and conformance checks.
Applications and practical value
- Use ISO 22762-6 for specification, type-testing and acceptance of elastomeric seismic isolators in:
- Important public buildings, hospitals, emergency centers and critical infrastructure.
- Structures at sites with frequent or large seismic events requiring enhanced isolation resilience.
- Benefits include reliable verification of long-term performance, tighter tolerance control, and traceable test methods enabling confident procurement, design verification and regulatory compliance.
Who uses this standard
- Structural and seismic engineers specifying isolation systems.
- Manufacturers of rubber bearings for design, testing and quality control.
- Testing laboratories executing type and durability tests.
- Authorities and clients requiring high-durability seismic protection for critical assets.
Related standards
- ISO 22762 series (see Parts 1 and 3) - test methods and applications for building isolators.
- ISO 7500-1 - calibration and verification of force-measuring systems used in testing.
Keywords: ISO 22762-6:2022, elastomeric seismic isolators, seismic isolation, high-durability, test methods, rubber bearings, shear properties, compressive stiffness, durability testing.