A Base Isolation System for Developing Countries Using Discarded Tyres Filled with Elastomeric Recycled Materials

Abstract

This article studies the performance of economic base isolators using tyres filled with elastomeric recycled materials. The research was conducted to analyse base isolators to be used in developing nations, where the application of conventional elastomeric rubber bearings due to economic reasons is limited.The tested isolators are made of kart tyres filled with different recycled elastomeric materials and aggregates. Dynamic and static tests proved acceptable vertical to horizontal stiffness ratio of the bearings and shake table tests showed an excellent enhancement of the base isolated structural response compared to the corresponding fixed base structure.

Bidirectional shaking‐table tests of unbonded recycled‐rubber fiber‐reinforced bearings (RR‐FRBs)

“…This type of BI system seems to be the most promising among such low‐cost technologies. The possibility of further reducing the cost of FRBs by replacing the natural rubber with a recycled, low‐cost elastomer was proposed by Calabrese et al, with RR‐FRBs having several advantages over conventional rubber isolators: They are lighter than conventional devices, as steel is replaced with light fiber elements. They can be produced by a relatively simple manufacturing process, where each device can be cut from a pad with large dimensions. In buildings with masonry walls, FRBs can be positioned directly under the foundations of the building, which reduces the need for stiff and costly transfer beams and produces a significant reduction in the total construction costs. They use recycled elastomeric materials with low mechanical characteristics and costs. The use of materials with low mechanical properties for the manufacture of RR‐FRBs is possible, because these devices are adopted in an unbonded configuration where the bearing is free to roll off the supports when deformed in shear. A detailed description of the production technologies and the results of extensive experiments on the recycled rubber used for the manufacture of these bearings are contained in the work of Montella et al…”

“…4 This type of BI system seems to be the most promising among such low-cost technologies. [6][7][8] The possibility of further reducing the cost of FRBs by replacing the natural rubber with a recycled, low-cost elastomer was proposed by Calabrese et al, 5 with RR-FRBs having several advantages over conventional rubber isolators:…”

End‐of‐life product management as a resilience driver for developing countries: A policy experiment for used tires in Ecuador

“…Whole ELTs can be used in a number of CEAs, such as soil reinforcement (Huat, Aziz, & Chuan, ), slope failure repairs (Hossain & Jayawickrama, ), erosion control (Bandini, Hanson, Castorena, & Ahmed, ), and retaining walls (Garga & O'Shaughnessy, ; Hossain & Jayawickrama, ; Long, ; Sayao, Medeiros, Sieira, Gerscovich, & Garga, ; Trouzine, Asroun, & Long, ), stressing the versatility of this material in different environments and geographical contexts. Whole tires and rubber pads are also used as dampers, base insulation or shock absorbers in seismic contexts (Ge, Wang, Song, & Ma, ; Hadad et al., ; Kelly & Konstantinidis, ; Turer & Özden, ). Some prototypes of isolated footings as efficient seismic superficial foundations have been used in post‐disaster reconstruction in developing countries, such as Indonesia and Haiti (Hakam & Sävfors, ; Kean, ; Sävfors, ).…”

“…absorbers in seismic contexts (Ge, Wang, Song, & Ma, 2017;Hadad et al, 2017;Kelly & Konstantinidis, 2007;Turer & Özden, 2008). Some prototypes of isolated footings as efficient seismic superficial foundations have been used in post-disaster reconstruction in developing countries, such as Indonesia and Haiti (Hakam & Sävfors, 2011;Kean, 2010;Sävfors, 2016).…”

Accurate and Efficient Modeling of the Hysteretic Behavior of Sliding Bearings

“…Base isolation represents one of the most effective techniques for the seismic protection of buildings and bridges [1,2,3]. Such a technique requires the use of special devices, called seismic isolation bearings, having flexibility and energy dissipation capacity along their transverse directions and a large axial stiffness [4,5].…”