Development of a Matrix for Seismic Isolators Using Recycled Rubber from Vehicle Tires

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Engineering

Background:

• Earthquakes cause significant devastation, necessitating effective seismic protection for buildings.
• Traditional seismic base isolation is costly, limiting its use in developing nations.
• Accumulated waste tires pose environmental challenges, creating a need for sustainable material solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sustainable and cost-effective seismic isolator matrix from recycled vehicle tire rubber.
• To evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of recycled rubber matrices for seismic isolation applications.
• To validate the performance of fiber-reinforced seismic isolator prototypes made from optimized recycled rubber.

Main Methods:

• Experimental evaluation of ten recycled rubber matrices for physical and mechanical properties.
• Identification of an optimal matrix composition based on granulometry and binder content.
• Compression and cyclic shear testing of reduced-scale, fiber-reinforced isolator prototypes.

Main Results:

• An optimized recycled rubber matrix with 15% binder and glass fiber reinforcement demonstrated superior performance.
• The best prototype achieved a damping ratio of 22% (exceeding the 10% minimum) and a vertical stiffness of 45 kN/mm.
• The developed isolator exhibited enhanced damping and stiffness compared to natural rubber.

Conclusions:

• Recycled tire rubber, when combined with glass fiber, is a viable and sustainable material for seismic isolators.
• This approach offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional seismic isolation methods.
• The use of recycled materials contributes to environmental sustainability by repurposing waste tires.