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VALORIZATION OF WASTE TIRE RUBBER IN CONCRETE: INFLUENCE OF PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION ON MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE
Keywords:
waste tire rubber, rubberized concrete, recycled rubber aggregates, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, ductility, particle size effect, sustainable constructionDOI:
https://doi.org/10.17654/973576325049Abstract
The valorization of waste tire rubber presents a sustainable approach to reducing environmental impact while fostering the development of innovative construction materials. In this study, concrete mixtures were produced by partially replacing natural aggregates with three types of recycled rubber: fine powder (PR, 0/2 mm), rubber sand (SR, 0.3-0.4 mm), and coarse rubber aggregates (GR, 3/7 mm), at substitution levels ranging from 5% to 20%. Mechanical performance was assessed through standardized compression and tensile (splitting) tests carried out on laboratory-prepared concrete specimens.
The results indicate that incorporating rubber leads to a gradual reduction in mechanical strength compared to the reference concrete (26.8 MPa in compression and 2.39 MPa in tension). At 20% substitution, compressive strengths decreased to 20.4 MPa (PR), 21.4 MPa (SR), and 22.1 MPa (GR), corresponding to reductions of 24%, 20%, and 17%, respectively. Tensile strengths followed a similar trend, with values of 1.80 MPa, 1.88 MPa, and 1.95 MPa for PR, SR, and GR, respectively. These results clearly indicate that rubber particle size strongly influences mechanical performance: the coarser the particles, the better the strength retention. Additionally, all rubberized concretes exhibited higher peak strains, indicating improved ductility.
Overall, the incorporation of recycled rubber appears to be a promising solution for producing more ductile and environmentally sustainable concretes, particularly suitable for non-structural applications or elements requiring enhanced energy absorption capacity.
Received: November 2, 2025
Accepted: December 4, 2025
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