Seismic performance of the intermediate unit of a scrap tire–granular material composite column

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study focused on the seismic performance of an intermediate unit of scrap tire–granular material composite columns under cyclic loading. A Laboratory test study regarding the dynamic deformation characteristics of the intermediate unit of a scrap tire–granular material composite column was conducted. The hysteresis loops, skeleton curves, stiffness degradation curves, and energy–dissipation capacities of the three specimens with different initial vertical loads were experimentally evaluated. Based on the test results, a restoring force model of the tire–granular material unit is established. The results demonstrated that the external force had a significant influence on the strength of the intermediate unit of the scrap tire–granular material composite column. The area of the hysteresis loop of the tire–granular material unit was large, indicating a good seismic performance. As the initial vertical load increased, the horizontal bearing capacity and lateral stiffness of the intermediate unit of the scrap tire–granular material composite column increased. The calculation results of the skeleton curve and hysteresis curve were in good agreement with the test results. As a base damping material, the scrap tire–granular material composite column is feasible, and provides a new concept for the resource utilization of the original scrap tire.