The freeze-thaw durability of concrete containing the rubber aggregate of tire waste

Abstract

The influence of rubber aggregate of tire waste (RATW) under cyclic freeze-thaw attack of concrete was studied. Various concrete mixes were prepared: a plain concrete (PC) produced with natural sand and rubber concretes (CRATW) included the RATW ratios of 5, 10, and 15 % such as a partial replacement with the natural sand aggregate (NSA). After the samples exposed to the different freeze-thaw cycles (120, 240, 340), their following properties were evaluated: visual observations, mass loss, dynamic modulus of elasticity and compressive strength. Our results indicate that the inclusion of RATW increasing entrapped-air and the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between cement matrix - rubber is weak and porous. In addition, the rubber concretes have higher resistance to freeze-thaw attack compared to plain concrete. This innovative trend could be extending the concrete structures' life in a cold climate. This clean practice of reusing RATW with cement based materials will reduce their stock in the landfills and eliminates their pollution on the environment.