Properties of self-consolidating rubberised concrete reinforced with synthetic fibres

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop and optimise self-consolidating rubberised concrete (SCRC) modified by different types and volumes of synthetic fibres (SFs). Steel fibres were also tested in this investigation for comparison. The investigation particularly sought to utilise the beneficial effect of fibres to alleviate the reduction in splitting tensile and flexural strengths resulting from adding crumb rubber (CR) to SCRC mixtures. The results indicated that the addition of SFs reduced the fresh properties, which limited the maximum percentage of CR that could be used in SCRC mixtures to 20%, compared to 30% maximum percentage of CR used in developing successful SCRC mixtures without SFs. However, the use of SFs beneficially contributed to alleviating the reduction in the splitting tensile strength and flexural strength of SCRC mixtures resulting from adding CR. Although increasing the length of SFs further reduced the fresh properties of the mixtures, this also enhanced further the splitting tensile and flexural strengths of SCRC mixtures. The results also showed that when self-compactability was disregarded, it was possible to use a higher combination of CR (30%) and fibre (1% volume fraction) in the development of vibrated rubberised concrete, resulting in mixtures with further improvements in splitting tensile and flexural strengths, and reduced self-weight.