A method for real-time measurement of seismic isolation rubber bearing based on embedded MEMS pressure sensors

This paper presents a method, for the first time, for real-time measurement of seismic isolation rubber bearing with MEMS pressure sensors embedded in it. Finite element simulations are conducted to study the proposed method. And experiments of the manufactured rubber bearing with MEMS pressure sensors embedded in it are operated in a testing machine. The experimental results show that the outputs of pressure sensors have a great linear relation with vertical load. And the horizontal displacement can be obtained by measuring the variation of compressive stress of rubber layer. This method can be used for analyzing the force state of earthquake-proof buildings, assessing the quality of rubber bearings in their service life and structural health monitoring.