Effects of rubber particles on mechanical properties of lightweight aggregate concrete

Abstract

This paper presents the compiled experimental data of slump value, compressive strength, splitting tension strength, flexural strength, static modulus of elasticity and unit weight for eleven different mixtures of rubber lightweight aggregate concretes cured up to 1, 7 and 28days. The eleven different mixtures cover one fundamental mixture and ten different replacements of rubber particles for sand volume from 10% to 100%. Based on the experimental results, incorporating rubber particles profoundly has a detrimental effect on the slump and mechanical strength, while the unit weight of concrete dropped. The static modulus of elasticity decreased from 24.1GPa to 6.3GPa with the replacement of rubber particles increasing from 0% to 100%. The toughness of rubber lightweight aggregate concretes is obvious superior to the plain lightweight aggregate concretes. The application of rubber particles in lightweight aggregate concretes provides further opportunity to recycle waste tires.