Implementation of Crumb Rubber (CR) in Road Pavements: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Abstract

The global rise in vehicle ownership has led to a significant accumulation of waste tires, with many ending up in landfills or incinerated, resulting in considerable environmental impacts. Several end-of-life solutions have been developed to repurpose these tires, and one promising approach is converting them into crumb rubber for use in road infrastructure. Crumb rubber has been incorporated as a stabilizing agent in asphalt mixtures, Portland cement concrete, base and sub-base granular layers, and subgrades. This application not only mitigates environmental harm but also often enhances the mechanical performance of these materials. Additionally, crumb rubber (CR) serves as a low-carbon material, offering environmental benefits such as reduced carbon footprint. This study provides a comprehensive literature review on the use of crumb rubber in road infrastructure materials, examining aspects such as treatment methods, mix design, mechanical properties, durability, and environmental impacts. It also highlights knowledge gaps and potential research directions to advance the application of crumb rubber in the road infrastructure industry. The findings suggest that, at appropriate dosages (in asphalt mixtures, for example, it is between 15–20% by weight of asphalt binder), crumb rubber can shift from being an environmental burden to a valuable resource across numerous road infrastructure applications. This review aims to guide agencies, designers, engineers, and other stakeholders in informed decision-making.