Seismic Protective Devices Laboratory

Ensuring the safety and resilience of structures in earthquake-prone regions is a paramount concern in the field of seismic engineering. The Seismic Protective Device Laboratory at IIT Bombay is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the rigorous testing and evaluation of seismic isolation devices, such as elastomeric rubber bearings. This laboratory possesses an in-house developed dynamic shear testing setup capable of testing elastomeric rubber bearings up to an impressive 125% strain level. Through this advanced testing setup, a single bearing can be tested at a time to evaluate crucial parameters like shear modulus, energy dissipation capacity, damping, and horizontal and vertical stiffness under dynamic loading conditions. Furthermore, the laboratory boasts a patented static shear testing technology designed to accommodate large-sized bearings, enabling shear testing under constant vertical loading conditions. Complementing these shear testing capabilities, the facility is equipped to perform dynamic compression testing, providing a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic characteristics of seismic isolation devices.