A seismic mass damper system using scrap tire pads: Loading tests on mechanical properties and numerical assessment of the response control effects

Abstract

This paper investigates a seismic mass damper (SMD) system using scrap tire pads (STPs). Loading tests on four six-layered STP specimens of different tire statuses and manufacturers were conducted. In vertical loadings, the specimens withstood a compressive pressure of 5.0 MPa without failure. In horizontal loadings, the specimens demonstrated stable and thick hysteresis loops with an equivalent damping factor of 0.09–0.23. Equivalent stiffness of 0.24–0.72 kN/mm was obtained. No significant reduction in the equivalent stiffness or damping factor was shown under 30-cycle loadings. A similar tendency in the horizontal behavior was observed for all specimens. The used-tire-specimens showed a higher equivalent stiffness than the new-tire-specimens. A numerical response was obtained using six- and 10-story nonlinear building models including sway-rocking motion with and without the SMD under 15 earthquakes. The analysis revealed the effectiveness of the SMD using STPs for mitigation of the peak story drift of the superstructure.