ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Seismic isolation devices have been introduced and applied in Korea since more than 10 years ago. However, established design specifications and performance evaluation criteria for seismic isolation required to support such application are still lacking, and numerous examples where foreign criteria have been applied can be found in the construction fields. Such situation led researchers to persevere in providing economically efficient as well as rational seismic isolation design in order to secure the reliability of a seismic isolation design suitable to the domestic construction environment. Among these, a first step has been realized through the addition of a volume dedicated to seismic isolation in the 2005 revised Design Specifications for Road Bridges. However, performance evaluation criteria of the seismic isolation devices actually manufactured, delivered and built on field remain still unestablished in Korea. This leads the ordering authorities to require performance evaluation tests adopting foreign criteria, which often need to be performed overseas with substantial costs. Even if limited evaluation tests are conducted in Korea, the poor reliability accorded to the results sometimes delays the attribution of delivery approval of the seismic isolation devices. In order to establish performance evaluation criteria of seismic isolation devices, database relative to diversified evaluation tests of the performances of seismic isolation devices should be collected. However, such experimental research is still in its infancy in Korea. In addition, examination of the correct functioning of seismic isolation bearings actually installed on bridge piers is also insufficient.
