An Advanced Phenomenological Temperature-Rate Dependent Mechanical Model of High-Damping Rubber Bearings: Establishment, Identification and Verification

High-Damping Rubber Bearings (HDRB) are critical components in seismic isolation systems, yet their performance in cold regions is compromised by significant temperature- and rate-dependent variations in their mechanical properties. Existing models often fail to capture this complex thermo-mechanical behavior across a sufficiently wide temperature range or tend to oversimplify the rate-dependent effects in low-temperature environments, thereby limiting their reliability for design in such environments. Addressing this critical gap, this paper presents a practical and advanced composite and experimentally validated phenomenological model that accurately predicts the coupled behavior of HDRB across a broad operational spectrum, from 30[Formula: see text]C down to −40[Formula: see text]C. The model architecture effectively decouples the response into a rate-independent trilinear hysteretic component and a rate-dependent polynomial overstress component. Unlike complex physics-based models that require specialized testing, the proposed phenomenological model utilizes a straightforward algebraic formulation, enhancing computational efficiency. A further practical advantage is that all model parameters can be identified using only standard Multi-Step Relaxation (MSR) and Cyclic Shear (CS) tests, thereby eliminating the need for specialized experiments. Based on an extensive experimental program at five temperatures and three loading frequencies, continuous, temperature-dependent functions were established for all governing parameters using a shape-preserving interpolation method, creating a single, unified predictive tool. Rigorous validation against 15 distinct test conditions demonstrated the model’s high fidelity, with the average error in predicting the energy dissipated per cycle remaining below 5%. The model’s robustness was further confirmed through independent validation against sinusoidal loading data not used for calibration. This research provides a practical and reliable framework for the design and analysis of seismically isolated structures in cold regions, ensuring enhanced safety and performance.