Valorization of waste rubber tyre fiber in functionally graded concrete

Abstract The current study made an attempt to enhance the functionally graded concrete properties by replacing the natural sand with waste rubber tyre fibers at different volume proportions (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30%) for a constant w/c ratio of 0.35. Rubberized functionally graded concrete, hereinafter designated merely by FGC, can be characterized by variation in composition of structure which in change shows the corresponding change in the properties of the concrete. For the detailed analysis, compressive strength, flexural strength, abrasion resistance, and water absorption tests were performed on conventional concrete (CC), rubber fiber concrete (RFC), and rubberized FGC and compared. Performance analysis was done on the basis of results obtained. The study showed poor compressive strengths for RFC and FGC as compared to CC. The flexural strength values were better for RFC and FGC. However, FGC had the highest flexural strength. Also, better wear and tear resistance was found for concrete containing rubber fibers. The water absorption of modified concretes was also affected by the incorporation of rubber fibers. The study concluded that the use of FGC could be a sustainable approach towards the formation of heavy-duty tiles, and at the places where higher flexural strength is required.