Oiles Self-Lubricating Bearings: Other Products

Seismic Isolation and Vibration Control

Oiles has developed a very specialized division responsible for Seismic Isolation and Vibration Control Products.  The division is based in Japan where manufacturing and testing operations are based as a result of strong earthquakes from the Pacific Rim which are frequent and capable of catastrophic damage to bridges, buildings and other structures. Oiles refers to their seismic efforts as creating a "gentle relationship between the Earth and cities."

Bridges

Conventional anti-earthquake bridge design has relied on the concept of resisting earthquakes through the strength of construction. More recent measures focus on "load-dispersing" or "seismically isolating" techniques.  Load-dispersing bridges support superstructures elastically at many points with rubber bearings to disperse the inertial force.  Seismically isolated bridges support the superstructure with quake-absorbing bearings that are strong enough to avoid damage mainly by increasing the period of vibration and absorbing the energy.  Several products are available to this end including:

Buildings

There are various approaches for building protection selected primarily according to building form, height, location, purpose and other considerations.  They may be used exclusively or together in combination as specific situations warrant.  There are four main approaches including:

1) Seismic Isolation

A construction method in which the building and the ground are separated by an isolation system which limits the transmission of vibrations to the building itself.  Products include:

2) Vibration Control

Vibration energy absorbers installed in the building restrict vibration and movement due to earthquakes or strong winds. Products include:

3) Floor and Equipment Isolation

In a conventional building during earthquakes or high winds there is a possibility of falling equipment, breakage, collapse, and a grave danger to inhabitants even if the building itself is not damaged. Floor isolation systems protect people, valuable goods such as artwork, sculptures, and data from earthquake-induced building vibrations.  They achieve this by isolating the floors of the building from the disaster and can reduce motion by 80-90%. his system is used for many computer rooms and fire departments. 2-D and 3-D systems are available.
One particularly effective product in this grouping is an equipment isolator which separates specific pieces of equipment or objects from the floor to reduce the transmission of earthquake motion. This is an ideal measure to protect, for example, social treasures such as important cultural assets, art and antiquities from earthquakes. Products include: