Stability improvement for response attenuation of bridge columns with one dimensional meta-material based isolation systems

The concept of meta-material-based isolation systems (MMIS) for structural columns has been revisited in the present study in order to enhance the stability of rubber pads by using steel shim reinforced rubber (SSRR) layers. Analytical calculations have shown a significant improvement in the stability of MMIS with SSRR pads. Finite element analysis has also been conducted to further show the reduced response of a bridge with the modified MMIS under excitations having frequencies within the corresponding attenuation zone (AZ) as compared to the response of a conventional bridge without MMIS. FE analysis further shows the stress generated on the bridge with MMIS systems are within safe limits. Finally, a generalized procedure has been developed to design bridge columns with the proposed modified MMIS.