Technical Feasibility of Incorporating Synthetic Rubber Waste Into Interlocking Concrete Pavers

The generation of synthetic rubber waste by the footwear industry represents a relevant environmental challenge, due to the material's high durability and low degradability. Considering the need for reuse alternatives for this waste and the potential of the construction sector to absorb it, this article aims to conduct a literature review on the technical feasibility of incorporating synthetic rubber waste, particularly waste from footwear sole manufacturing, into interlocking concrete pavers. To this end, a narrative review of national and international literature was carried out, based on academic databases and Brazilian technical standards (ABNT), organized into seven thematic sections: waste generation by the footwear industry, the characteristics of synthetic rubber, the reuse of rubber waste in civil construction, its use in concrete and mortars, interlocking concrete pavements, the incorporation of the waste into pavers, and the influence of rubber on the mechanical properties of pavers. It is observed that rubber incorporation tends to reduce compressive strength and increase water absorption, while improving impact absorption and reducing the density of the composites, which allows us to conclude that the incorporation is technically feasible when substitution levels are defined based on experimental evaluation and compliance with ABNT NBR 9781-1, although a shortage of studies specifically addressing footwear sole rubber is evident.