Performance Investigation and Cost–Benefit Analysis of Recycled Tire Polymer Fiber-Reinforced Cemented Paste Backfill

Abstract

To alleviate the environmental problems caused by scrap tire and tailings disposal, the performance of recycled tire polymer fiber (RTPF)-reinforced cemented paste backfill (CPB) was investigated. Ordinary CPB, commercial poly-propylene fiber (CPPF) and reinforced CPB were also investigated for comparison. Slump tests, unconfined compression tests and a cost–benefit analysis were conducted. The results indicate that the flowability of the RTPF-reinforced CPB decreased with the increasing fiber content. The failure strain, unconfined compressive strength, and toughness values were generally higher than that of ordinary CPB (i.e., CPB without any fiber reinforcement). However, the mechanical properties would not be improved continuously with increasing RTPF content. It was found that the inclusion of RTPFs achieved the best improvement effect with the best mechanical properties of CPB at the fiber content of 0.6%. The failure mode of the RTPF-reinforced CPB was safer than that of the ordinary CPB. Microscopic observations indicated that the bond between RTPFs and the CPB matrix could affect the mechanical properties of the RTPF-reinforced CPB. From the cost–benefit analysis, the inclusion of RTPFs to reinforce CPB could gain relatively high mechanical properties with a low material cost.

Sustainable Reuse of Waste Tire Textile Fibers (WTTF) as Reinforcements

“…Textile fibers derived from ELT can also act as substitutes for polymeric/synthetic fibers such as carbon [ 81 ], PVA [ 82 ], PP [ 83 ], polyethylene (PE) [ 84 ], and steel [ 81 ] in cement-based materials. These options received increasing attraction to resolve some of the environmental problems caused by waste tires, as well as improving the performance and durability of cement-based materials [ 38 , 39 , 85 , 86 ]. Long-term durability and performance of cement composites can be deteriorated by plastic shrinkage cracking caused by self-desiccation and external drying, especially for applications having large surface areas such as slabs on grade, thin surface repairs, patching, tunnel linings, etc.…”

Dynamic Loading Characteristics of Cemented Paste Backfill with Recycled Rubber

“…Yu et al [12] studied the performance of recycled tire polymer fiber (RTPF) to strengthen the cementing paste backfill (CPB). The results showed that the fluidity of CPB enhanced by RTPF decreased with the increase in fiber content.…”

Systematic Experimental Assessment of POFA Concrete Incorporating Waste Tire Rubber Aggregate

“…The main components waste tire aggregate consists of are the natural and synthetic rubber (also known as a polymer). The styrene-butadiene in the synthetic rubber ratio influences the properties of the polymer: with high styrene content, the rubbers are harder and less rubbery, and takes a longer time to dissolve under normal conditions, which leads to a rise in environmental concern when it ends life service [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Currently, the worldwide growth of the automobile industry and the increase in car use have tremendously boosted tire production.…”