OLD tyres present a major disposal problem. But Dennis Darwen-Bradury of
Exeter wants to use them in the walls and foundations of buildings in earthquake
zones (UK 2 291 076).
The inventor suggests dicing tyres into small, randomly shaped nuggets, which
can be bonded in a matrix of rubber to form bricks and built into a wall to
provide a cushion for shock waves. The brickwork on either side would be loosely
anchored with steel pins.
The nuggets can also be packed in the foundations to create a resilient bed
on which to float a concrete raft, which in turn supports the building.
