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The tensile stiffness and deformation model of rubber bearings are systemically researched in the paper, a series of basic concepts, such as origin tensile longitudinal elastic modulus, tensile stiffness factor, origin tensile stiffness, offset tension origin stiffness, etc. are suggested corresponding to the theoretical formula and the experimental estimation method. Based on the origin tensile stiffness and offset tension origin stiffness, the deformation calculating theories related to pure tensile state and tension-shear state of isolated bearing are established. The double stiffness model and original stiffness model are proposed to describe the tension properties of rubber isolators after the bearings yield. The vertical tensile stiffness, offset tension origin stiffness, and deformation tests are performed with nature rubber bearings and lead plug rubber bearings to verify the new concepts and computation model of rubber isolators. All test results show that the theories established in the paper are suitable to analyze the tensile stiffness and tensile deformation for rubber isolators. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0000007 CE Database subject headings: Rubber; Isolation; Stiffness; Deformation; Tensile stress. Author keywords: Rubber isolators; Tension properties; Tensile stiffness factor; Origin tensile stiffness.

The vertical stiffness and deformation theories of rubber isolators in compression and compression-shear states are systemically researched in the paper, a series of basic concepts, such as origin compression stiffness, origin compression longitudinal elastic modulus, offset vertical stiffness, etc. are suggested with corresponding theoretical formula and experimental estimation method. Based on the basic concepts and newly suggested calculating theories, the deformation calculating theory related to pure compression state and compression-shear state of isolating bearing is established. The vertical stiffness, offset vertical stiffness and deformation tests are performed with nature rubber bearings and lead plug rubber bearings total 16 original specimens to verify the new concepts and computation model of rubber isolators. All test results show that the theories established in the paper are suitable for analyzing the vertical stiffness and deformation of rubber isolators. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0000010 CE Database subject headings: Rubber; Isolation; Stiffness; Deformation; Analytical techniques; Compression.

For reducing the initial GSHP investment, the heat transfer efficiency of the borehole heat exchange (BHE) system can be enhanced to reduce the number or depth of drilling. This paper proposes a novel and simple BHE design by changing the cross-sectional shape of the U-tube to increase the heat transfer efficiency of BHEs. Specifically, in this study, we (1) verified the reliability of the three-dimensional numerical model based on the thermal response test (TRT) and (2) compared the inlet and outlet temperatures of the different U-tubes at 48 h under the premise of constant leg distance and fluid area. Referent to the circular tube, the increases in the heat exchange efficiencies of the curved oval tube, flat oval tube, semicircle tube, and sector tube were 13.0%, 19.1%, 9.4%, and 14.8%, respectively. (3) The heat flux heterogeneity of the tubes on the inlet and outlet sides of the BHE, in decreasing order, is flat oval, semicircle, curved oval, sector, and circle shapes. (4) The temperature heterogeneity of the borehole wall in the BHE in decreasing order is circle, sector, curved oval, flat oval, and semicircle shapes. (5) Under the premise of maximum leg distance, referent to the heat resistance of the tube with a circle shape at 48 h, the heat exchange efficiency of the curved oval, flat oval, semicircle, and sector tubes increased 12.6%, 17.7%, 10.3%, and 7.8%, respectively. (6) We found that the adjustments of the leg distance and the tube shape affect the heat resistance by about 25% and 12%, respectively. (7) The flat-oval-shaped tube at the maximum leg distance was found to be the best tube design for BHEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]