Three-Dimensional Simulation on the Influence of Coated Rubber Chips on Concrete Properties

Rubber chips, when used as a partial replacement for coarse aggregates in concrete, tend to increase ductility, absorb energy, and can be beneficial due to their ability to reduce impact forces and dampen vibrations. However, they lead to a substantial decrease in compressive strength compared to ordinary concrete. Due to the weak bond between rubber particles and the concrete matrix, sand-coating surface treatment was applied to enhance the interfacial properties of the rubber surface. In this research, a detailed numerical analysis was conducted in order to predict the mechanical and dynamic behavior of concrete by incorporating partially replaced coarse aggregates with uncoated and sand-coated rubber chips. The study also seeks to examine the effects of rubber inclusion on key parameters such as damping ratio and compressive strength, thereby providing insights into the effectiveness of using recycled rubber as a sustainable alternative material in concrete production. The compressive strength and damping ratio of concrete were examined through a three-dimensional numerical simulation using ABAQUS/CAE 6.14-1. The results demonstrated that the optimal compressive strength was achieved with a 15% sand-coated rubber replacement, resulting in a 15.67% increment. Furthermore, the maximum improvements in damping ratios were observed to be 48.42% for uncoated rubber chips and 25% for coated ones, when compared to conventional concrete. These enhancements highlight the potential of both coated and uncoated rubber inclusions, due to rubber’s high elasticity. Moreover, at optimized levels, improved concrete properties can be achieved while promoting sustainability through material reuse.