Improving the Performance of Concrete Beams with Crumb Rubber and Steel Fibers: An Experimental Study
Corresponding author: Mouhammed J. Lafta
Abstract
This study explores the flexural behavior of concrete beams incorporating crumb rubber derived from waste tires and Steel Fibers (SF), aiming to evaluate their viability as sustainable construction materials. Addressing both the environmental concerns and mechanical performance, the current research examines the potential of these additives to enhance the structural efficiency of reinforced concrete beams. Six reinforced concrete beams were cast using varying proportions of crumb rubber (5% and 10%) as a partial replacement for fine aggregate and SF as tensile reinforcement. Two reinforcement ratios were used to examine the interaction effects. Standard specimens were also tested to evaluate compressive, tensile, and flexural strength. The flexural performance was assessed through four-point bending tests, with the load-deflection behavior, crack patterns, and strain distributions recorded. The results showed that crumb rubber reduced both the initial crack and ultimate load capacities due to its low stiffness and weak interfacial bond with the cement paste. However, the inclusion of SF significantly improved the crack resistance, ductility, and load-bearing capacity, achieving at least a 24% increase in the ultimate load over the rubber-only counterparts. The beams with higher reinforcement ratios demonstrated superior structural performance, while the failure modes remained predominantly flexural. The findings suggest that a combination of 10% crumb rubber and 1% SF offers an effective balance between the mechanical performance and environmental sustainability.
Keywords:
concrete, crumb rubber, steel fiber, beamDownloads
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