Investigation of the variation of mechanical and durability properties of elements manufactured with rubber substituted SCMs with element height

Abstract

Controlling the homogeneous distribution of granulated rubber materials added to self-compacting concrete/mortars along the height is of great importance in terms of preserving and defining the holistic behavior of structural elements. In this study, the effect of EPDMGR (ethylene propylene diene monomer granulated rubber) ratio (0 %, 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, 20 % and 25 %), test age, L/D (slenderness ratio) and element test zone (bottom, middle and top) on the mechanical properties (flexural and compressive), durability properties (porosity and sorptivity) of the elements produced with SCM were evaluated. The results obtained were statistically evaluated by GLM-ANOVA. It was observed that flexural tensile strength was strengthened up to 5 % substitution rate due to the hydrophobic properties and elasticity properties of EPDMGR used, while porosity values increased with height in the upper regions compared to the lower regions due to the placement properties of SCM. Differences in compressive strength appeared in the upper and lower sections after 5 % EPDMGR substitution. This indicates that for the mixture properties used, the properties examined in terms of mechanical and durability test results may have different properties with limited variability in terms of L/D ratio depending on the EPDMGR ratio used and the region where the element was taken.