Effects of rubber size on the cracking resistance of rubberized mortars

Abstract

This study investigated the cracking resistance of rubberized cement-based mortars. Three rubber particle sizes were used: Rubber A (major particle size 2-4 mm), Rubber B (major particle size 1-3 mm), and Rubber C (major particle size 0-2 mm). Traditional restrained ring shrinkage test (RRST), new restrained squared eccentric ring shrinkage test (RSERST), mechanical test, and scanning electron microscopy test were conducted. Results showed that the cracking inhibitory effect of Rubber B was the highest among the three rubber particle sizes. SEM results revealed that the particle size of the rubber does not have much effect on the ITZ (interfacial transition zone) position of rubber and cement paste. For the strength differences of the three types of rubberized mortar, it is mainly because the specific surface area increased as the rubber size decreased, which lead to more ITZ positions and pore structures. Our study verified that RSERST can predict the cracking position and shorten the test period. Compared with RRST, RSERST can also increase the restriction degree. KR is defined as the intensification factor of RSERST restriction degree. The average intensification factor is KR = 1.17.