The impact of rubber crumb on the mechanical and chemical properties of concrete

Abstract

Various works have been carried out on both the physical and mechanical properties of rubberized concrete in previous research. But the chemical composition of rubberized concrete has not been fully investigated. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectrum (EDX) analysis were used to determine the element composition and the peak intensity of chemical elements in the waste rubber concrete. The SEM and EDX analysis results showed that, ferrous iron, oxygen, calcium, and silicon were the dominant elements, and these elements reduced as more waste rubber were added to the concrete. Carbon and sulphur elements increased as rubber crumbs were added to the rubberized concrete. The work concluded that the presence of rubber crumb in the concrete samples contributed to both mechanical and chemical changes in the property of rubberized concrete.

Keywords:

• waste rubber
• rubberized concrete
• SEM analysis
• EDX analysis
• rubber crumb

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joseph Olawale Akinyele

Joseph Olawale AKINYELE. (PhD). He is a visiting Research fellow in the department of Civil Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa. He obtained his Ph.D in Civil Engineering from the University of Ibadan Nigeria. Area of interest: analysis of structures, use of yield line theory, finite element methods and civil engineering materials.

Ramadhan Wanjala Salim

Ramadhan Wanjala SALIM. (PhD). He is a senior lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering of the Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria South Africa. Area of interest: theoretical and experimental studies of civil engineering structures using finite element methods.

Williams Kehinde Kupolati

Williams Kehinde KUPOLATI. (PhD). He is a Senior lecturer at the Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria South Africa. area of interest: he is specialized in civil engineering materials, especially asphalts concrete, and also highway and transportation engineering analysis.