Use of waste tire rubber as a fine aggregate substitute in concrete

The civil construction sector significantly contributes to economic growth but also heavily exploits natural resources, raising sustainability concerns. This study investigates the incorporation of waste tire rubber as a partial substitute for fine aggregate in plain concrete to promote environmentally friendly construction practices. Concrete specimens were produced with 10% and 25% rubber content by mass replacing natural fine aggregate. Physical characterization of materials and mechanical testing, including compressive and splitting tensile strength, were conducted at curing ages of 7, 14, and 21 days. Results demonstrated a reduction in compressive and tensile strength proportional to the amount of rubber incorporated. Despite this decrease, the modified concrete meets the requirements for certain non-structural applications, offering advantages such as lower density and enhanced energy absorption. Water absorption increased with higher rubber content, attributed to rubber’s elastic nature and higher absorption capacity. The study confirms the viability of using tire rubber waste in concrete as a sustainable alternative to reduce environmental impact and promote circular economy practices in construction.