Investigation of Fresh, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Rubberized Fibre-Reinforced Concrete Containing Macro-Synthetic Fibres and Tyre Waste Rubber

The growing disposal of used tyres and plastic waste in landfills poses a significant environmental challenge. This study investigates the potential of utilizing used tyre rubber and macro-synthetic fibres (MSFs) made from recycled plastics in fibre-reinforced rubberized concrete (RuFRC). Various pe...

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Main Authors: Nusrat Jahan Mim, Mizan Ahmed, Xihong Zhang, Faiz Shaikh, Ahmed Hamoda, Vipulkumar Ishvarbhai Patel, Aref A. Abadel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-08-01
Series:Buildings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2778
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author Nusrat Jahan Mim
Mizan Ahmed
Xihong Zhang
Faiz Shaikh
Ahmed Hamoda
Vipulkumar Ishvarbhai Patel
Aref A. Abadel
author_facet Nusrat Jahan Mim
Mizan Ahmed
Xihong Zhang
Faiz Shaikh
Ahmed Hamoda
Vipulkumar Ishvarbhai Patel
Aref A. Abadel
author_sort Nusrat Jahan Mim
collection DOAJ
description The growing disposal of used tyres and plastic waste in landfills poses a significant environmental challenge. This study investigates the potential of utilizing used tyre rubber and macro-synthetic fibres (MSFs) made from recycled plastics in fibre-reinforced rubberized concrete (RuFRC). Various percentages of tyre rubber shreds were used to replace coarse aggregates, calculated as 10%, 20%, and 30% of the volume of fine aggregates; fibre dosages (0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% by volume) were incorporated into the mix, and a series of physical, mechanical, and durability properties were evaluated. The results show that, as the fibre and rubber content increased, the slump of RuFRC decreased, with the lowest value obtained for concrete with 1% fibre and 30% rubber. The density of RuFRC decreases as the rubber percentage increases due to air voids and increased porosity caused by the rubber. The strength properties of RuFRC were found to decline with the increase in the rubber content, with mixes containing 30% rubber exhibiting reductions of about 60% in compressive strength, 27% in tensile strength, and 13% in flexural strength compared to the control specimen. Durability testing revealed that an increased rubber content led to higher water absorption, water penetration, and chloride ion permeability, with 30% rubber showing the highest values. However, lower rubber content (10%) and higher fibre dosages improved the durability characteristics, with water absorption reduced by up to 5% and shrinkage strains lowered by about 7%, indicating better compaction and bonding. These results indicate that RuFRC with moderate rubber and higher fibre content offers a promising balance between sustainability and performance.
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spelling doaj-art-b3c05657ea10425e99e5f69d6db24bce2025-08-20T03:04:42ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-08-011515277810.3390/buildings15152778Investigation of Fresh, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Rubberized Fibre-Reinforced Concrete Containing Macro-Synthetic Fibres and Tyre Waste RubberNusrat Jahan Mim0Mizan Ahmed1Xihong Zhang2Faiz Shaikh3Ahmed Hamoda4Vipulkumar Ishvarbhai Patel5Aref A. Abadel6School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, AustraliaCentre for Infrastructure Monitoring and Protection, School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, AustraliaCentre for Infrastructure Monitoring and Protection, School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, AustraliaSchool of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, AustraliaCivil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 6860404, EgyptSchool of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3552, AustraliaDepartment of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi ArabiaThe growing disposal of used tyres and plastic waste in landfills poses a significant environmental challenge. This study investigates the potential of utilizing used tyre rubber and macro-synthetic fibres (MSFs) made from recycled plastics in fibre-reinforced rubberized concrete (RuFRC). Various percentages of tyre rubber shreds were used to replace coarse aggregates, calculated as 10%, 20%, and 30% of the volume of fine aggregates; fibre dosages (0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% by volume) were incorporated into the mix, and a series of physical, mechanical, and durability properties were evaluated. The results show that, as the fibre and rubber content increased, the slump of RuFRC decreased, with the lowest value obtained for concrete with 1% fibre and 30% rubber. The density of RuFRC decreases as the rubber percentage increases due to air voids and increased porosity caused by the rubber. The strength properties of RuFRC were found to decline with the increase in the rubber content, with mixes containing 30% rubber exhibiting reductions of about 60% in compressive strength, 27% in tensile strength, and 13% in flexural strength compared to the control specimen. Durability testing revealed that an increased rubber content led to higher water absorption, water penetration, and chloride ion permeability, with 30% rubber showing the highest values. However, lower rubber content (10%) and higher fibre dosages improved the durability characteristics, with water absorption reduced by up to 5% and shrinkage strains lowered by about 7%, indicating better compaction and bonding. These results indicate that RuFRC with moderate rubber and higher fibre content offers a promising balance between sustainability and performance.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2778recycled tyre aggregatesmacro-synthetic fibersfiber-reinforced rubberized concretecompressive strengthdurability performance
spellingShingle Nusrat Jahan Mim
Mizan Ahmed
Xihong Zhang
Faiz Shaikh
Ahmed Hamoda
Vipulkumar Ishvarbhai Patel
Aref A. Abadel
Investigation of Fresh, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Rubberized Fibre-Reinforced Concrete Containing Macro-Synthetic Fibres and Tyre Waste Rubber
Buildings
recycled tyre aggregates
macro-synthetic fibers
fiber-reinforced rubberized concrete
compressive strength
durability performance
title Investigation of Fresh, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Rubberized Fibre-Reinforced Concrete Containing Macro-Synthetic Fibres and Tyre Waste Rubber
title_full Investigation of Fresh, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Rubberized Fibre-Reinforced Concrete Containing Macro-Synthetic Fibres and Tyre Waste Rubber
title_fullStr Investigation of Fresh, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Rubberized Fibre-Reinforced Concrete Containing Macro-Synthetic Fibres and Tyre Waste Rubber
title_full_unstemmed Investigation of Fresh, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Rubberized Fibre-Reinforced Concrete Containing Macro-Synthetic Fibres and Tyre Waste Rubber
title_short Investigation of Fresh, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Rubberized Fibre-Reinforced Concrete Containing Macro-Synthetic Fibres and Tyre Waste Rubber
title_sort investigation of fresh mechanical and durability properties of rubberized fibre reinforced concrete containing macro synthetic fibres and tyre waste rubber
topic recycled tyre aggregates
macro-synthetic fibers
fiber-reinforced rubberized concrete
compressive strength
durability performance
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2778
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