A lead-rubber damper consisting of a steel-reinforced elastomeric bearing with a lead insert fitted in its centre has been tested at earthquake-like frequencies (0.9 Hz) with a vertical load applied. For an engineering shear strain of ±0.59, the damper completed 340 cycles and operated satisfactorily at temperatures of -35 ± 5°C and 45 ± 5°C. We believe that the lead-rubber damper is suitable for installing in base-isolation systems for the
protection of buildings and bridges during earthquakes.