Development of Functionally Graded Concrete Using Rubber Fiber

Abstract

The current study investigates the functionally graded concrete (FGC) prepared using waste rubber tyre fibers as replacement of fine aggregates (FA) at a constant w/c ratio of 0.45. FGC is a continuously graded concrete which has different properties either in top or bottom portion according to the properties of materials added. Different materials like fly ash, steel fibers, glass granules, crushed granite aggregates, etc., has been utilized by different researchers to prepare FGC. The percentage replacement of rubber fibers used was 0-20% at 5% intervals and 30% to prepare control concrete (CC), rubber fiber concrete (RFC) and rubberized functionally graded concrete (RFGC). The fresh and hardened properties were performed on the concrete samples for the detailed analysis. Workability, density, compressive strength, flexural strength and water permeability tests were conducted on the different types of concrete. Flexural strength was better observed for RFC and RFGC as compared to CC. Compressive strength and depth of penetration values decreased with the addition of rubber fibers, however, RFGC had better values as compared to RFC. Study concluded that RFGC could be a sustainable approach towards the construction were flexural strength is mainly required.