Fresh, Mechanical, Transport, and Durability Properties of Self-Consolidating Rubberized Concrete

Abstract

This paper presents the fresh, mechanical, transport, and durability performances of self-consolidating rubberized concretes (SCRCs). Fresh concrete properties were determined with slump flow, V-funnel, J-ring, and L-box tests. Mechanical, transport, and durability properties were determined by measuring compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths; bond strength characteristics; water porosity; water absorption; water sorptivity; rapid chloride-ion permeability; and freezing-and-thawing and corrosion resistance. SCRC mixtures with a water-binder ratio (w/b) of 0.32; total binder content of 500 kg/m(3) (842 lb/yd(3)); and crumb rubber content of 0, 10, 20, and 30% by fine aggregate volume were produced and tested. Fresh properties testing revealed that the use of crumb rubber as a fine aggregate diminished the filling and passing ability of SCRC. A gradual reduction in mechanical properties was also observed with an increase in crumb rubber content; however, the rate of compressive strength reduction was more evident than that of tensile strength. Despite the fact that water porosity, water absorption, and chloride-ion permeability increased slightly with the use of crumb rubber, a remarkable decrease was observed in the initial and secondary water sorptivity of SCRC. No significant decrease was observed in the freezing-and-thawing and corrosion resistance of SCRC with 10% crumb rubber. Beyond that level, however, durability performance was significantly affected.