Assessment of effect of rubber tyre fiber on functionally graded concrete

Abstract

The main focus of the current study is to examine the functionally graded concrete (FGC) prepared using waste rubber tyre fibers as substitute of fine aggregates. Functionally graded concrete (FGC) is a concrete which, with variation in composition of structure shows corresponding change in the properties of the concrete. Different materials like fly ash, steel fibers, glass granules, crushed granite aggregates, etc., has been utilized by researchers to prepare functionally graded concrete (FGC). The percentage replacement of rubber fibers were 0–20% at 5% intervals and 30% to prepare control concrete (CC), rubber fiber concrete (RFC) and functionally graded rubberized concrete (FGRC). The strength and durability tests were conducted on the concrete samples for the detailed analysis. Workability test was done to know fresh property of concrete and compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption and water permeability tests were conducted to know hardened properties of different types of concrete. Flexural strength was better observed for RFC and FGRC as compared to CC. Compressive strength, water absorption, and water permeability values found to be inferior on the addition of rubber fiber content in concrete, however, FGRC had better values as compared to RFC. Study concluded that FGRC could be a sustainable approach towards the construction where higher flexural strength acts.