Experimental study on coir fiber based crumb rubber concrete

Abstract

The main objective of this project is to evaluate mechanical properties of concrete using rubber tire waste as an alternative of fine aggregate and coconut fiber powder as an alternative of cement with assorted percentages of 0%, 5%, 10% & 15% and 0%, 1%, 2% & 3% in concrete. The main requirement of the work is to provide safe environment and making concrete economical by using rubber waste and coir fiber as a substitutes to sand and cement. By this we can also prevent environmental issues produced from disposing of coconut husk and rubber tires waste partially. Fly ash was also added additionally with varying percentages of 5%, 10% and 15% as an alternative to cement in a concrete mix. Laboratory tests such as compressive, split tensile, flexural strength test, density of concrete and water absorption test etc., were conducted on concrete specimen to achieve the maximum usage of coir fiber powder and crumb rubber tire waste in preparation of concrete mix. It is observed that the maximum compressive strength values of coconut fiber based crumb rubber concrete was obtained at 1% of coir fiber + 5% of crumb rubber + 5% of fly ash are 15.11, 19.52 and 29.40N/mm2 for 3days, 7days and 28days of curing, maximum split tensile strength and flexural strength values of coir fiber based crumb rubber concrete block was also obtained at 1% of coir fiber + 5% of crumb rubber + 5% of fly ash i.e.,1.430, 1.599 & 2.791N/mm2 and 1.97, 2.92 and 4.68N/mm2 for 3, 7 and 28days of curing. From the final conclusion of the project, maximum usage of crumb rubberis 5% and coconut fiber powder is 3%.