Experimental assessment and constitutive modelling of rubberised One-Part Alkali-Activated concrete

Abstract

This study deals with the development and assessment of rubberised one-part alkali-activated concrete. An experimental programme, focusing on optimising the material proportions for high flowability and compressive strength, is firstly described. This includes varying the proportions of aluminosilicate precursors, binder-to-aggregate ratio, activator dosage, and admixture quantity to find an optimum mix design with stable strength development up to 90 days. Crumb rubber particles are then added to replace up to 60 % by volume of the natural mineral aggregates. The effect of rubber addition on the mechanical properties is quantified and analytical expressions for the compressive strength, elastic modulus, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength are presented. A database consisting of 241 conventional rubberised concrete as well as 57 rubberised alkali-activated mixes, available in the literature, is then assembled and used for direct comparison of the characteristics of different rubberised concrete materials. It is shown that the degradation in compressive strength for one-part rubberised alkali-activated concrete with high rubber replacement ratios falls within similar ranges as conventional and two-part alkali-activated rubberised concrete. However, the results show that the elastic modulus of one-part rubberised alkali-activated concrete is significantly lower than that of rubberised concrete mixes with the same compressive strength. Moreover, while the lateral crushing strain of one-part rubberised alkali-activated concrete increases with higher rubber replacement ratios, the axial crushing strain reduces slightly. It is also shown that the post-peak stress–strain response exhibits greater softening with higher rubber ratios. Based on the findings of the study, constitutive models for representing the compressive stress–strain response and flexural stress-crack width response are proposed. The presented expressions provide insights into the fundamental mechanical properties of rubberised one-part alkali-activated concrete, hence paving the way for their potential use in structural members, particularly those requiring higher ductility, while also offering a sustainable alternative to conventional concrete materials.