Mechanical Properties of Rubberized Concrete at Elevated Temperatures

Abstract

The use of rubberized concrete has become increasingly popular as a means of disposing of waste materials, such as used and end-of-life tires, while also providing an effective solution for construction applications. The strength and durability of rubberized concrete can be negatively affected by temperature fluctuations, but little is known about the performance of this material. Hence, the work presented herein aims to evaluate the performance of rubberized concrete when it is exposed to different temperature levels. In this study, rubberized concrete specimens were prepared by replacing 5–20% of crumb rubber by volume of fine aggregate. The specimens underwent a curing process for 28 days, followed by exposure to temperatures of 200 °C, 400 °C, and 600 °C for a period of 2 h. The residual test and normal cooling method were adapted. Surface characteristics by visual inspection, the residual weight, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and dynamic modulus of elasticity were assessed and compared to unheated specimens. The study’s findings revealed that, when exposed to temperatures between 200 °C and 400 °C, rubberized concrete containing a 5% to 15% rubber content experienced less reduction in compressive strength than conventional concrete, which showed a reduction of 43% to 48.5%. Also, it was observed that the splitting tensile strength was more sensitive to elevated temperatures than the compressive strength.