Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Concrete Incorporating Silica Fume and Waste Rubber Powder

Abstract

Using waste rubber tires for concrete production will reduce the demand for natural aggregate and help to reduce environmental pollution. The main challenge of using waste rubber tires in concrete is the deterioration of mechanical properties, due to poor bonding between rubber and cement matrix. This research aims to evaluate the mechanical and thermal properties of rubberised concrete produced by using different proportions of rubber powder and silica fume. Ordinary Portland cement was partially replaced with silica fume by amounts of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, while sand was replaced by 10%, 20% and 30% with waste rubber powder. Tests were carried out in order to determine workability, density, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, elastic modulus, thermal properties, water absorption and shrinkage of rubberised concrete. The compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of concrete produced using waste rubber powder were reduced by 10–52% and 9–57%, respectively. However, the reduction in modulus of elasticity was 2–36%, less severe than compressive and splitting tensile strengths. An optimum silica fume content of 15% was observed based on the results of mechanical properties. The average shrinkage of concrete containing 15% silica fume increased from −0.051% to −0.085% at 28 days, as the content of waste rubber powder increased from 10% to 30%. While the thermal conductivity of rubberised concrete was reduced by 9–35% compared to the control sample. Linear equations were found to correlate the density, splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and thermal conductivity of concrete with silica fume and waste rubber powder.

Treated Waste Tire Using Cement Coating as Coarse Aggregate in the Production of Sustainable Green Concrete

“…Similarly, the tensile strength of the concrete also showed a similar trend of strength improvement when tire aggregates were treated with the different solvents discussed here [28]. The researchers also used tire aggregate in powder form [29,30] to replace the natural fine aggregate in concrete. Like coarse tire aggregate, concrete strengths were also reduced as the percentages of tire powder content increased in the mixes.…”

Utilization of Waste-Expanded Thermoplastic as a Sustainable Filler for Cement-Based Composites for Greener Construction

“…The other explanation could be in relation to the generally smooth surface of polymeric materials. To improve the bonding of the cement matrix with the surface of the thermoplastic material, the application of supplementary cementitious materials, such as silica nanoparticles or fly ash, constitutes a promising approach [67,68]. Because of the reduced water transport capability of the produced W-A composites, it is expected that EPS bead-dosed concrete will be more durable against corrosion and chemical attack (like the penetration of salt solutions from winter roads and pavement maintenance [51]) than traditional dense aggregate-filled composites [13].…”

“…The other explanation could be in relation to the generally smooth surface of polymeric materials. To improve the bonding of the cement matrix with the surface of the thermoplastic material, the application of supplementary cementitious materials, such as silica nanoparticles or fly ash, constitutes a promising approach [67,68].…”

Experimental Study on the Mechanical Properties of Crumb Rubber Concrete after Elevated Temperature

“…CRC is a composite based on ordinary concrete that is formed by adding finer crumb rubber to replace some of the fine aggregate or larger crumb rubber to replace some of the coarse aggregate. Research has shown that CRC outperforms ordinary concrete in terms of energy absorption and consumption [ 13 , 14 ], fatigue resistance [ 15 ], reducing material brittle failure [ 16 ], deformation capacity [ 17 ], hindering crack development [ 18 ], durability [ 19 , 20 , 21 ], and thermal performance [ 22 ]. To reduce the degree of brittle failure of deep foundation pit support structures, the application of CRC to deep foundation pit support has been studied [ 16 ].…”