Engineered cementitious composites with recycled rubber particles

Cement-based materials are widely used in construction because of their strength, durability, and flexibility in design. Over the past, researchers have sought strategies to minimize the environmental impact of conventional concrete by adopting industrial waste byproducts and alternative aggregates. In this context, the use of end-of-life tire rubber in the production of engineered cementitious composites (ECC) is viewed as an approach that addresses sustainability in the construction industry. Recycled tire rubber particles can modify the ductility, crack control capabilities, and resilience under different loading scenarios, although challenges remain concerning decreased strength and altered workability. The aim of this paper is to review existing studies on ECC with recycled tire rubber particles and compile findings on fresh properties, mechanical performance, crack behavior, fracture mechanisms, and long-term durability. A combination of bibliometric analysis and thorough screening of experimental investigations is performed to highlight major accomplishments, challenges, and knowledge gaps that merit further research. This review gives an in-depth perspective on the suitability of crumb rubber in ECC mixtures and provides practical insights that aim to help meet industry demands for structural and environmental requirements. The paper focuses exclusively on ECC mixtures containing recycled tire rubber and couples bibliometric mapping of 98 Scopus-indexed publications with a systematic synthesis of fresh-state, mechanical, fracture, impact, and durability responses. The review therefore complements earlier rubber-concrete surveys and rubberized ECC constituent-based reviews by providing an ECC-specific assessment of research gaps and application-oriented recommendations.