Influence of Filler Addition on Mechanical Behavior of Cementitious Mortar-Rubber Aggregates: Experimental Study and Modeling

Abstract

This work focuses on the feasibility of reusing and valorizing rubber aggregates from shredded worn tires in cement paste. This kind of eco-material could be used, for example, in special buildings, roads or pavement, or recreational areas. Fractions of the volume of sand were substituted by the same volume of rubber aggregates. The volume contains the ratio of rubber aggregates ranging from 0 to 50%. Nevertheless, compressive and flexural strengths decrease when the volume ratio of rubber aggregates increases in mortar-rubber aggregate mixtures. A solution to the decrease in mechanical strengths consists of adding mineral particles, such as siliceous or limestone fillers. Experimental characterization of the mechanical behavior of mortar-rubber aggregates containing either siliceous or limestone fillers is developed in this paper. It is observed that the use of either siliceous filler or limestone filler enhances mechanical properties. Modeling is developed to predict compressive and flexural strengths of mortar-rubber aggregate mixtures using the fuzzy logic method. Experimental mechanical results are compared with modeling.