Non-Destructive Acoustic Testing of High-Temperature Degraded Composite Cementations Materials Containing Rubber Aggregates and Ethylen Vinyl Acetate Polymer Binder

Abstract

The use of impact-echo acoustic method to test cement-based mortar composites modified with rubber aggregates and EVA polymer binder and degraded at high temperatures was studied. The specimens were prepared by using a type CEM I Portland cement and siliceous sand, as well as by substituting 25% of sand with shredded automobile tires and by adding EVA polymer binder (10% w/w to cement mass). The specimens were subjected to high temperatures (200-400 °C). The results of non-destructive testing confirmed the different structure of mortar specimens. The partial substitution of sand with rubber aggregates led to absorption of lower frequencies as compared to the reference specimens. A significant decrease of the absorbed frequencies was observed, depending on temperature. The largest decrease occurred after the specimens exposure at 200-300 °C. The effect of heat exposure to the decrease of frequencies was mitigated when the EVA polymer was used.