Contribution to the Study of the Durability of Rubberized Concrete in Aggressive Environments

Today, much of the world’s waste, in particular used tires, is accumulating as a potential source of major environmental and economic problems. In order to better preserve the environment, and in the face of changes in the legislation in force, many recovery actions have been carried out especially in the field of building materials.

The present research aims to contribute to the study of the mechanical properties and durability of concretes based on rubber aggregates. To achieve this objective, we have contemplated incorporating therein amounts of rubber granules according to different volume substitution percentages being 10%, 17.5%, and 25%. A comparison of the results with a control concrete has been established.

The obtained results make it possible to demonstrate that the substitution of a percentage of sand by rubber granules decreases the mechanical strengths and increases the expansion in water. On the other hand, it improves the resistance to attack from H₂SO₄, Na₂SO₄, and seawater. The latter is evaluated by the loss and gain in mass as well as the loss in mechanical resistance, especially in the long term (more than 90 days), decreases drying shrinkage, thus decreasing microscopic cracks and providing better durability.