Ahmad B. Habieb¹, Gabriele Milani¹, Tavio Tavio², and Federico Milani³
1)  Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano
Piazza Leonardo Da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, ITALY
e-mail: {ahmadbasshofi.habieb, gabriele.milani}@polimi.it
2)  Department of Civil Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember
Jalan Raya ITS , 60111 Surabaya, INDONESIA
e-mail: tavio@ce.its.ac.id
3) Chem.Co Consultant
Via J.F. Kennedy 2, 45030 Occhiobello, ITALY
e-mail: federico-milani@libero.it

Keywords: Masonry; fiber reinforced elastomeric isolators; finite element; developing countries; recycled rubber; non-linear analyses

Abstract. Since the seismic performance of masonry is considerably low, the masonry structureis not recommended for regions with high seismic risks. However, it is so far the preferred structure for low-class housing, particularly in developing countries. Comprehensive numerical and experimental studies are carried out to evaluate the possibility to build low-rise masonry housing with a suitable isolation system. Low-cost seismic rubber isolators reinforced with fiber are examined to product an innovative isolation device. To reduce the cost, rubber materials considered are recycled compounds derived from manufacturing waste. The utilization of fiber instead of steel can reduce the weight and allows the engineer to implement unbonded application of base isolators. Some technological details for masonry building are proposed to assure that the isolation system works well. In order to evaluate the seismic performance of such isolation system, non-linear static and dynamic analyses are performed through numerical models in a commercial finite element code. The results indicate excellent performances of low-cost isolation system so that this innovative residential masonry building is feasible for real application particularly in developing countries.