Mitigation of seismic vibrations using gravel–rubber mixtures: a geotechnical seismic isolation application for heritage structures
Mitigation of seismic vibrations using gravel–rubber mixtures: a geotechnical seismic isolation application for heritage structures
Urban environments face increasing challenges related to both seismic hazards and anthropogenic vibrations (from traffic, machinery, etc.), particularly in densely built historic areas where infrastructure is highly vulnerable. There is a growing need for sustainable, effective ground isolation systems capable of addressing these dynamic stresses without compromising the integrity of heritage structures. This study explores the use of well-graded gravelrubber mixtures (wgGRMs), composed of ELT-derived granulated rubber and natural aggregates, as a Geotechnical Seismic Isolation (GSI) system designed to meet this emerging demand. The elastic and high-damping characteristics of rubber grains make wgGRMs a promising geo-material for attenuating a wide range of vibrations while promoting circular economy practices. Laboratory results have demonstrated their good dynamic behaviour under both seismic and anthropogenic loading conditions. To assess their practical application, a historical masonry bell tower in Bronte (Catania, Southern Italy) was selected as a case study. Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations were performed considering the soil foundation improved with a wgGRM. Advanced constitutive models (HSsmall and Generalized HoekBrown) were adopted to accurately capture the nonlinear behaviour of both the soil and the wgGRMs layer. Key parameters, such as rubber content and input ground acceleration, were varied to evaluate system performance under different loading scenarios. The findings highlight the effectiveness of wgGRMs in reducing vibration transmission and protecting sensitive structures, supporting their use as a sustainable GSI solution for enhancing resilience in urban heritage areas, while promoting environmentally responsible reuse of tyre waste.
Angela Fiamingo; G. Abate; Maria Rossella Massimino
11th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG2026)
Special Session 7: Geotechnical seismic isolation based on sustainable geomaterials
https://doi.org/10.53243/ICPMG2026-65