Experimental investigation on mechanical properties of sustainable roller compacted concrete pavement (RCCP) containing waste rubbers as alternative aggregates

Different types of solid waste are generated every year due to global industrialization. With the rapid growth of the automobile industry, the disposal of billions of waste rubbers (WR), which pollute the environment and cannot be disposed of properly, is emerging as an urgent matter of concern. Recycling waste rubbers by using them on pavements will contribute to the elimination of ecological and economic problems. In this study, the effects of waste rubbers on the mechanical properties of roller-compacted concrete pavement (RCCP) were investigated by obtaining sustainable RCCP mixtures using different types of waste rubbers as coarse and fine aggregate substitutes. In this context, waste rubbers with three different sizes (powder, crumb and shredded) were substituted for aggregate by volume at seven levels (0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 20% and 30%) with a maximum of 30% in RCC mixtures. Unit weight, mechanical properties, modulus of elasticity and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) were evaluated and compared according to the waste rubber content in the RCC mixtures. In addition, microstructural analysis of the mixtures was performed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental results revealed that the compressive, flexural and splitting tensile strength and modulus of elasticity decreased with increasing waste rubber content in RCC. The utilization of waste rubber increased the ductility of RCC and decreased the density to produce lighter concrete. RCC with a compressive strength of about 30 MPa could be obtained by substituting 10% of waste rubber for aggregate. Thus, the utilization of high waste rubber content in pavements was feasible. This study can contribute to a more sustainable RCCP production by replacing natural aggregates with waste rubbers. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd