Static and large-strain dynamic properties of sand-rubber tire shred mixtures

This paper presents the results of experimental investigations on sand-rubber tire shred mixtures. The sand and rubber tire shreds considered were of uniform fine size (<2 mm). Static and dynamic characterization was carried out for pure sand, pure rubber, and sand- rubber tire shred mixtures with rubber content varying 10, 30, and 50% by weight. First, strain-controlled consolidated undrained triaxial tests were carried out to determine static shear strength. Strain-controlled cyclic triaxial tests were then conducted to evaluate shear moduli and damping ratios in the medium to large strain range. Undrained moduli obtained from both experiments were compared. It was found that the mixture with 10% rubber content had the satisfactory static and dynamic properties required for seismic isolation of low-rise buildings.