The rubber quake isolators in place on the Second Penang Bridge.
How many of us happen to know that our very own scientists are behind the creation of rubber bearings that protect buildings and bridges in many parts of the world? Not many, I am sure. Yes, behind these innovative creations are our scientists from the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB), formerly known as the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM).
Besides the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge (Second Penang Bridge) and a few buildings in Malaysia, earthquake-prone countries like Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, China and Chile have incorporated these bearings as base isolation for quake protection.
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Proudly Malaysian: The earthquake isolator
The rubber quake isolators in place on the Second Penang Bridge.
Current Malaysian Rubber Board director-general Datuk Zairossani Mohd Nor (left) with MRB scientist Dr Nazirah Ahmad (right) and a team member (centre, back) on the Second Penang Bridge during the installation of the quake isolators.
Dr Lee Jiang Jun is one of the Malaysian Rubber Board’s senior scientists involved in creating an earthquake isolator used around the world. Here he’s on site at the Second Penang Bridge during the installation of the isolators.
Malaysian Rubber Board director-general Datuk Dr Zairossani Mohd Nor checking out one of the isolators on the Second Penang Bridge during installation.
Combo image showing (clockwise, from top) the Second Penang Bridge; one of the rubber quake isolators before installation; and the isolators mid-installation.
A close-up of a Malaysian Rubber Board quake isolator before installation.
According to Datuk Zairossani Mohd Nor, the rubber quake isolators are among some of the board’s creations that have had a global impact.
One of the rubber isolators being installed at the Second Penang Bridge.
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