SUMMARYFor the purpose of predicting the large-displacement response of seismically isolated buildings, an analytical model for elastomeric isolation bearings is proposed. The model comprises shear and axial springs and a series of axial springs at the top and bottom boundaries. The properties of elastomeric bearings vary with the imposed vertical load. At large shear deformations, elastomeric bearings exhibit stiffening behavior under low axial stress and buckling under high axial stress. These properties depend on the interaction between the shear and axial forces. The proposed model includes interaction between shear and axial forces, nonlinear hysteresis, and dependence on axial stress. To confirm the validity of the model, analyses are performed for actual static loading tests of lead-rubber isolation bearings. The results of analyses using the new model show very good agreement with the experimental results. Seismic response analyses with the new model are also conducted to demonstrate the behavior of isolated buildings under severe earthquake excitations. The results obtained from the analyses with the new model differ in some cases from those given by existing models.