Experimental Evaluation of Slurry Infiltrated Fibrous Concrete with Waste Tire Rubber Fine Aggregate

Slurry-infiltrated fibres concrete (SIFCON) represents a specialized variant of highperformance steel fibres reinforced concrete (HPFRC), celebrated for its superior strength and ductility characteristics.In the ongoing quest for more sustainable construction materials, an opportunity arises to harness the massive quantities of waste tires generated globally by the burgeoning automotive industry.This study investigates the effects of replacing fine aggregate in SIFCON with treated waste tire rubber at various replacement rates (5%, 10%, and 15%) on the resultant compressive strength, flexural strength, and split tensile strength.This approach not only contributes to waste reduction but also aids in preserving natural aggregates.A novel method of introducing strong polarity groups to the rubber surface was employed in this study to foster robust chemical interactions between the rubber and the cement matrix, aiming to enhance the concrete's mechanical properties.Despite the observed deterioration in the mechanical characteristics of SIFCON as the rate of sand replacement with rubber powder increased, the incorporation of waste rubber demonstrated significant benefits in terms of reduced the density and cost.This research underscores the potential for treated recycled chopped rubber as a partial substitution for fine aggregate in SIFCON, simultaneously supporting sustainable construction practices and contributing to global waste management efforts.