Market
Information
Japan and China constitute the two biggest users of seismic bearings
- more than 2500 structures in Japan and 500 in China are fitted with
rubber bearings. The base isolation can be used for new and as well
as existing buildings. At present the cost of seismic rubber bearings
are very prohibitive especially in Japan where a 2m x 2m x 0.5m bearing
could cost about US$100,000. Since the 1995 Kobe earthquake rubber
bearings were installed in nearly all newly-built bridges in Japan
and the existing bridges that use steel bearings are gradually retrofitted
with the rubber bearings. Conventionally base isolation is only being
used for low to medium rise buildings. Japan is now changing the scenario
by boldly installing rubber bearings for taller buildings. A 42-story
building is being constructed in Kobe and this is going to be the
tallest base-isolated building in the world. It is envisaged that
more tall building around the world will be built on rubber bearings
and this would augur well for the bearing manufacturers. |
