Strength and deformation behaviour of sand-rubber mixture

ABSTRACT

Loose specimens with a void ratio of 0.86, corresponding to a relative density of 30% for the pure sand, and normal stresses of 50, 100 and 150 kPa were used in this work to study strength and deformation behaviour of sand rubber mixtures. Three types of rubber particles with D-rubber/D-sand = 0.25, 1, and 4, and different rubber to sand ratio of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50% were investigated by performing more than 300 direct shear tests. The shear strength and deformation characteristics of sand-rubber mixtures were dependent on rubber proportions of the mixtures and size ratio. Angle of friction and cohesion intercept increased and reduced when up to 20% rubber fraction was used, but reduced and increased afterwards. Dimensional analysis of the data suggested that shear strength is a weak function of the rubber fraction for the types of rubber particles used in this study.

KEYWORDS:

• Sand
• Rubber Particles
• Direct Shear Test
• Dilational Behaviour
• Shear Strength

Acknowledgements

The support provided by the Iran’s National Elites Foundation is acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

We declare that there is no potential conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Iran’s National Elites Foundation.

Notes on contributors

Salman Rouhanifar

Salman Rouhanifar has a PhD degree in geotechnical engineering from University of Bristol and is a research fellow in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University.

Mohammad Afrazi

Mohammad Afrazi has a MS degree in geotechnical engineering. He received his degree from Tarbiat Modares University in 2017.

Ali Fakhimi

Ali Fakhimi received his PhD from Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Minnesota, USA, in 1992. He is a professor of geotechnical engineering in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University.

Mahmoud Yazdani

Mahmoud Yazdanihas a PhD degree in geotechnical engineering and serves as an assistant professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University.