Investigation of cement based composites made with recycled rubber aggregate

Abstract

The results of experimental investigations performed on cement based composites made with addition of recycled rubber as a partial replacement of natural river aggregate are presented in this paper. Different properties of cement based mortar were analyzed, both in fresh and in hardened state. Tested properties in the fresh state included: density, consistency and volume of entrained air. In the hardened state, the following properties were tested: density, mechanical properties (compressive and flexural strength), modulus of elasticity, adhesion to concrete substrate, water absorption, freeze-thaw resistance and ultrasonic pulse velocity. The obtained results indicate that recycled rubber can be successfully applied as a partial replacement of natural river aggregate in cement based composites, in accordance with the sustainable development concept. The investigation showed that physical-mechanical properties of cementituous composites depend to a great extent on the percentage of replacement of natural river aggregate with recycled rubber, especially when the density, strength, adhesion and freeze-thaw resistance are concerned. The best results were obtained in the freeze-thaw resistance of such composites.