The feasibility of constructing rubber concrete pavement reinforced with recycled and industrial steel fibers

Abstract

The utilization of waste tires in the construction sector offers a sustainable and durable alternative to traditional materials. This study investigates the performance of the rubberized concrete pavement reinforced with steel fibers, incorporating recycled tire particles to replace a portion of the coarse and fine aggregates. The objective is to determine the optimal combination of rubber content, steel fiber type, and fiber amount for constructing flexible and durable rubberized concrete pavements. Various rubber particle sizes were incorporated into the concrete mix, and the performance was compared with traditional concrete. Two types of steel fibers were considered: manufacturer-produced steel fibers (MSF) and recycled steel fibers from used car tires (RTSF). Mechanical properties, including compressive strength, bending strength, and modulus of elasticity, were evaluated. Results indicated that the addition of rubber particles reduced the density and efficiency of the concrete while increasing air content. While compressive strength increased with the addition of steel fibers in traditional concrete, it decreased in the rubberized concrete. However, the modulus of elasticity and bending strength improved with the inclusion of steel fibers in the rubberized concrete. The study concluded that an optimal combination for constructing flexible rubberized concrete pavement reinforced with steel fibers involved replacing 60 % of the rubber particles with regular concrete particles and adding 20 kg/m³ of both industrial and recycled steel fibers. This configuration provided a balance between mechanical properties and sustainability benefits.