Durability Performance of Rubberized Concrete Blended with PVA Fibers Under Sulphate Attack

Nowadays, chemical attacks, particularly sulphate assault, pose a significant challenge to the durability of concrete buildings exposed to sea water, swamp water, groundwater, wastewater, and drinking water, among others. This research investigates concrete, including crumb rubber (CR) and PVA fibre, to enhance its strength and resistance to chemical penetration. The purpose of this investigation is to use the 10% to 30% of CR as substitution for sand along with 1% to 1.5% of PVA fiber (PVAF) to determine the durability characteristics due to sulphate attack. The cubical and prism samples were made of CR concrete reinforced with various quantity of PVAF and these samples were tested after 28 days submerged in 10% of sodium solution. The mix containing 10% CR and 1.5% PVAF achieved a compressive strength of 51.45 MPa, indicating minimal deterioration under sulphate exposure. Besides, the weight gain and expansion were recorded dropping as the quantity of PVAF and CR rises in concrete. The integration of 10% CR with 1 to 1.5% PVAF yields optimal results for the building sector.