Compression-shear performance of steel fiber reinforced rubber concrete

Abstract

Rubber powder can be produced from waste tires through processing and its inclusion in concrete, either with steel fiber or alone, has been shown to improve impact and shear toughness and reduce environmental pollution. However, the mechanical behaviors and failure criteria of steel fiber reinforced rubber concrete (SFRRC) under combined compression-shear loading, which is essential for structural application, is lacking. This study investigates the compression-shear properties of SFRRC, considering steel fiber and rubber powder content, and compressive stress ratio. The effects of these parameters on shear strength, shear peak displacement, and shear toughness were analyzed. Results indicate that as the compressive stress ratio increases, SFRRC's failure pattern changes from tensile failure to compression-shear failure when k ≥ 0.4, exhibiting ductile failure. The equivalent initial energy density increases with rubber powder content, while equivalent shear residual toughness increases after the peak value, but shear strength and peak displacement decrease. With the addition of steel fiber, initial shear strength, peak displacement, and equivalent residual strength increase. A calculation criterion for compression-shear strength was proposed, with theoretical values matching well with experimental values.