Experimental Seismic Evaluation of Novel Buckling-Restrained Braced Frames Containing Tire-Derived Aggregate Concrete

Existing literature suggests that substituting mineral aggregates with tire-derived aggregate (TDA) in concrete increases the ductility and toughness of the concrete at the cost of lowering its strength and stiffness. Hence, TDA concrete has applications in dynamic systems, such as lateral resisting frames sustaining seismic loads. This study investigated the application of TDA concrete in buckling-restrained braced frames (BRBFs). Buckling-restrained brace (BRB) specimens included steel plates encased with concrete mixtures containing TDA coarse aggregates compared to conventional concrete. Testing involved shake-table testing of a single-span, one-story, steel-braced frame with single-leg conventional or TDA concrete BRBs under harmonic, periodic, impulse, and ground motion loadings. Results included time-history responses and backbone curves of the BRBF specimens. Analytical interpretation of results included determining effective mass, stiffness, damping ratio, toughness, and ductility of BRBFs for TDA versus conventional concrete.