The impact of addition of different shapes of tire waste on soil properties

Purpose. To support and contribute to ecological and sustainable solutions, this paper aims to experimentally validate previous studies that proposed alternatives for improving soil characteristics using harmful waste. Methodology. This study investigates the incorporation of different percentages (2 %, 4 %, 6 %, and 8 %) of ground tire waste (GTW), powdered tire waste (PTW), and fibrous tire waste (FTW) into sandy soils (SS) to evaluate their effects on mechanical properties and particle density. Findings. The results indicate that the addition of tire waste consistently reduces both the density of soil solids and the maximum dry density due to the lower density of the tire materials compared to sand. The most pronounced reduction is observed with fibrous tire waste (FTW), resulting in a particle density of 2.19 t/m3 for the soil and a maximum dry density of 1.57 t/m3 at an 8 % incorporation rate, making these mixtures suitable for lightweight embankments. In terms of mechanical performance, GTW maintains high California Bearing Ratio (CBR) values, while PTW leads to a significant decline. Conversely, FTW enhances unconfined compressive strength (UCS) to 82 kPa, compared to 68.5 kPa for pure sand. Originality. The results of this study show the potential of tire waste in improving the mechanical properties and density of sandy soils, highlighting the importance of using waste in the field of geotechnics. Practical value. The findings reveal the potential of applying tire waste as an eco-friendly, sustainable, and cost-effective solution for infrastructure development.