Feasibility Investigation on Rubberized Mortar for Frictional Base Isolation of Unreinforced Masonry Buildings

Unreinforced masonry (URM) structures are highly prone to seismic events. Conventional base isolation is a technique to mitigate these events. However, middle-class people can’t use conventional isolators i.e. elastomeric bearings, lead-rubber bearings, etc. for low-cost URM buildings because of their high expense. The Frictional base isolation system has a simple and inexpensive model that uses sliding surfaces to dissipate seismic energy and lowers the forces transferring to the superstructure from the foundation. Frictional base isolation is a new emerging technique requiring detailed research to develop the system. Few Frictional base isolation materials have been investigated that introduced the materials that are usually unavailable in the market. Control mortar, Rubberized mortar (fine), and Rubberized mortar (coarse) were studied in the current research. The compressive strength and coefficient of friction of the materials were investigated. High compressive strength and low coefficient of friction allow them to be used as Frictional base isolation material as per the available literature. Moreover, microstructural studies through microscope images were captured for analysis. Among them, the Rubberized mortar (fine) is considered to be better to practice as a Frictional base isolation material.