Influence of Loading Direction on the Seismic Performance of Rectangular STRP Isolators

Abstract

For the scrap tire rubber pad (STRP) isolator, which is intended to be used in low rise residential buildings in highly seismic areas of the developing countries, experimental, analytical and theoretical investigation is conducted to examine the influence of loading direction on the seismic performance. Finite element analysis and theoretical evaluation using Haringx theory are carried out to evaluate the stability limit of the isolation unit under shear deformation. These types of isolators provide positive incremental force resisting capacity up to shear strain level of 155%, and this value increases when the loading direction is changed up to 45 degrees from the STRP's edge direction.