International Review of Civil Engineering (I.RE.C.E.), Vol. 7, N.

2
ISSN 2036 - 9913 March 2016

Influence of Coarse Aggregate Rubber on the Workability

and the Mechanical Strength of Self-Compacting Concrete

S. Zaoiai1, A. Makani2, A. Tafraoui2, F. Benmerioul1

Abstract – In this experimental work, which aims to industrial application and valorization of
local materials, we present the effect of the coarse rubber aggregate on the workability and the
mechanical strength of self-compacting concrete mixing the study also showed that the
substitution of coarse natural aggregates (CNA) by coarse rubber aggregates (CRA) in the
composition of the SCC, contributes to a slight variation of workability in the fresh state
parameters still remaining in the field of SCC required by the AFGC recommendations. The
experimental results show that the compressive strengths of SCC decreased slightly by substituting
of 10% CNA by CRA. Copyright © 2016 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved.

Keywords: Self-Compacting Concrete, Coarse Rubber Aggregate, Workability, Compressive

Strengths

I. Introduction resulted in a reduction in the 28 days compressive

Disposal of used tires is a global problem. It is
estimated that, every year almost 1000 million tires end
their service life and more than 50% are discarded
without any treatment. By the year 2030, the number
would reach to 1200 million tires yearly [1].
Recycling of waste rubber tires in civil engineering is
considered as ecological and economical solutions due to
the advantages it can offer.
It preserves natural resources and produces an eco-
friendly material. In addition to great environmental
benefits such as reducing harmful environmental
pollution of disposing tires to landfill sites [2]. On this
subject, several works concerning the use of rubber
aggregates was completed.
Many authors studied the influence of the
incorporation of rubber aggregates in the mortars, the
concretes and even the self- compacting concrete. If
some of them have approached the properties in the fresh
state of these new composites, the greater part of the
research focuses on the influence of these aggregates on
the mechanical properties [3].
Observed that substituting of 5% recycled rubber in
cement matrix has not significant effect on the
compressive strength and the elasticity. Balaha et al. [4]
have shown that the hardened rubberized concrete
decreases with increasing rubber content but the treated
rubber aggregates gives better results than concrete
incorporating normal rubber.
Taha et al. [5] examined the effect of containing waste
tire rubber particles (coarse or fine) on the performance
of rubberized concrete and the adherence of cement
paste/rubber.
They conclude that the rubberized concrete using
coarse rubber aggregate to replace the coarse aggregate
strength by 40-78%, for replacement levels of 25 -100%.
Turatsinze and Garros [6] studied the self-compacting
concrete containing rubber aggregates partly replaced a
volume fraction of the rounded siliceous gravel (4–
10mm). They observed reduction in the compressive
strength and modulus of elasticity. Eldin and Senouci [7]
studied the mechanical properties of concrete mixtures
containing rubber aggregate with different sizes. They
observed reduction 85% in the compressive strength
when the coarse aggregate was replaced coarse rubber
aggregate. The use of coarse rubber particles exhibited
more negative effects on the properties of mixtures
compared to fine particles [8]-[10].
The present research work is therefore to conduct a
comparison in terms of rheological performance (density
in a fresh state, slump-flow, L-box test, and sieve
stability) and mechanical properties (resistance in
compression, flexural Strength) between the different
formulations of self-compacting concrete SCC is to find
the optimal dosage in coarse rubber aggregate RA.
For this, we have substituted the quantity of naturel
coarse aggregates (NA. 3/8) by a quantity of (RA. 3/8)
which varies from 0% to 20%.
II. Characterization of Basic Materials
II.1. Cement
Cement (C) chosen in this study is of the type made
up Portland CPJ CEM II/A 42. 5. It is in conformity with
the Algerian standard NA 442.
Specific surface Blaine is equal to 3600 cm2/g. The
physical properties of cements are shown in Table I. The
chemical and mineralogical compositions of cements are
presented in Tables II and III.

Copyright © 2016 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved DOI: 10.15866/irece.v7i2.8479

27
 S. Zaoiai, A. Makani, A. Tafraoui, F. Benmerioul

II.2. Addition II.4. Superplasticizer

The choice of an addition relative to another is generally The incorporation of superplasticizer (SP) increases
following the local availability at acceptable costs, focused the fluidity of concrete [17] Superplasticizer used is the
on the high silica content [11], [12]. SIKAPLAST 5045 Superplasticizer /Heat Redactor of
The crushed sand (CS) of Taghit, which is in the Water/Retardate of catch for ready-mixed concretes and
commune of Taghit (Bechar), was used as addition for concretes autoplaçants Conformed to standard NF INTO
the various formulations of the SCC. The percentage of 934-2.
fines (lower than 80 µm) accounts for 10% of the mass of
cement. Table III contains the chemical analyses which
were carried out in the laboratory of the cement factory II.5. Water
of CETIM (Algeria). The mixing water comes from the tap (drinking water
From a chemical stand point, the important of the town of Bechar). It is in conformity with standard
observation to note is the presence of a high percentage NF P18 404.
of silica SiO2; is greater than 74%, and therefore the dune
sand is siliceous sand. 100
NS 0/3 NA 3/8

Parcent passing (%)

NA 8/15 RA 3/8

TABLE I 80
PHYSICAL PROPRETIES OF CEMENT AND CRUSHED SAND DUNE
Apparent density Specific density Fineness 60
Cement 1030 3600 3242 40
Crushed Sand 1150 2650 3000
20
TABLE II 0
MINERALOGICAL COMPOSITION OF CEMENT (%)
0,1 1 10 100
Cement type C3S C2S C3A C4AF Sieve size (mm)
Cement 61.54 14.83 7.04 11.05

Fig. 1. Sieve analysis of aggregates and crumb rubber

II.3. Aggregates
The aggregates play an important role in the behavior
of concrete. Their influence is very strong in terms of
mechanical performance [14]-[16]. Natural sand of 3 mm
maximum size was used as fine aggregate and two size
gravel ranges (3 to 8 mm) and (8 to 15mm) of Career
Zarouati of the region of Bechar.
The rubber (R.A) aggregates resulting from the Fig. 2. Coarse rubber 3/8, Crushed sand dune
crushing of worn tires were used by replacing coarse
natural aggregates.
The rubber particles were provided from Techno-flex III. Formulation of the Concretes
factory in Algiers. Fig. 1 shows the grading analysis of and Mixing Procedure
mineral aggregates and rubber particles used in this
The mix composition is chosen to satisfy all
study.
performance criteria AFGC Guidelines for the SCC.

TABLE III
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CRUSHED SAND OF TAGHIT AND CEMENT USED [13]
Elements SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 CaO MgO SO3 Na2O TiO2 others Loss of ignition (%)
CS 97.15 0.79 0.21 0.11 0.05 0.14 0.18 0.05 <0.02 0.58
Cement 17.49 4.51 3.02 62.78 2.5 2.3 0.05 - 0.64 8.10

TABLE IV
MIX PROPORTION OF SELF-COMPACTING MIXES
Component (kg/m3) SCC 0% RA SCC 10% RA SCC 20% RA
Cement (C) 473 473 473
Crushed sand(CS) 47.3 47.3 47.3
Water (l/m3) 246 227.14 226
sand (NS.0/3) 900 900 900
Coarse aggregate (NA3/8 mm) 150 135 120
Coarse aggregate (NA.8/15) 580 580 580
Coarse Rubber (RA.3/8) - 15 30
Additive 8.21 8.21 8.21
Water/(FA + C) 0.47 0.44 0.43
Unit weight (kg/m3) 2404 2385 2834

Copyright © 2016 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved International Review of Civil Engineering, Vol. 7, N. 2

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 S. Zaoiai, A. Makani, A. Tafraoui, F. Benmerioul

The final formulation of the self-compacting concrete

is given in Table IV. The experimental study consists in
formulating 3 various self-compacting concrete formulas
SCC 0%, SCC 10%, SCC20% a substitution of coarse
aggregate (NA.3/8) by coarse rubber grains (RA.3/8).

IV. Tests Conducted

IV.1. Slump Flow Test (a) (b)

The slump flow test is destined for determining the

flow ability of SCC.

IV.2. L-Box Test

L-box was determined to specify the passing ability of
the self-compacting rubberized mixtures.

IV.3. Sieve Stability Test

The ability to resist the segregation of aggregate
(c)
throughout the mixing, transportation and casting process
is represented in Figs. 3 Figs. 3. Tests of SCC (Slump flow test (a) L-Box test
(b) sieve stability test(c))

IV.4. Mechanical Test

As shown in the Table VI, the three mixes have met
Tests on mechanical strength of self-compacting the self-compactability acceptance criteria AFGC [20]
rubberized concrete have been completed to determine presented at Table III. For the densities of the hardened
flexural strength and compressive strength. concrete. The variation of the unit weight with the
The tests were in agreement with NF EN 12390-3 incorporation of coarse rubber aggregates was also to be
standard [18] and NF EN 12390-5 standard [19], expected considering the low density of the rubber
respectively. aggregates (RA) in comparison with that of natural
aggregates (NA) [21], [22]. In addition, the increase in
rubber content expand the air content, which in turn
V. Results and Discussions reduces the unit weight of the mixtures.
V.1. Effect of Coarse Rubber Aggregate Content The results of the slump- flow test are shown in Table
on the Workability VI, we observe a decrease of slump flow value from 740
mm to 720 mm after replacing natural coarse aggregate
As a first part of this study, our objective is to with rubber aggregates with 10%. The fresh properties of
determine the effect of rubber aggregate (RA) on the the self-compacting rubberized concrete mixtures can be
workability of concrete. Test methods such as slump- found in the study of the second author of this paper.
flow, L-box and Stability in sieve were conducted to
assess the fresh properties.
V.2. Effect of Coarse Rubber Aggregate Content
TABLE V on the Strength of Concrete
VALUES RECOMMENDED FOR TESTS AFGC [20]
V.2.1. Compressive Strength
Slump-flow L –Box Stability in sieve
Test
(cm) (H2/H) (%) The compressive strength is a basic mechanical
Values limits 60 to 75 cm ≥ 0.8 ≤ 15 % characteristic of a concrete. It acts of an essential element
of its identity card, we used test-tubes (70×70×280mm)
The experimental results of various fresh properties of which were unmolded 24 hours after the casting and
the slump flow diameter, L-box and sieve stability test of were preserved under water at the ambient temperature.
different mixtures are presented in Table VI. Fig. 4 shows the results of the compressive strength (the
average value of the three tests). The compressive
TABLE VI
FRESH PROPERTIES OF SELF-COMPACTING CONCRETES
strength decreases with the increase in proportioning in
Slump-flow L – Box Stability in Density
coarse rubber aggregates. That could be explained by the
(cm) (H2 / H1) sieve (%) (kg/m3) low rigidity of the aggregates and the defects of
SCC 0% RA 74 0.86 4.2 2372 adherence between the rubber and the matrix cementing
SCC 10% RA 72 0.85 7 2369 or with the bad quality of the zone of the transition
SCC 20% RA 74 0.95 13.2 2138
between these two phases.

Copyright © 2016 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved International Review of Civil Engineering, Vol. 7, N. 2

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 S. Zaoiai, A. Makani, A. Tafraoui, F. Benmerioul

These results are in line with the work reported by

1 day 7 days 14 days 28 days Toutanji [29] (on the effect of rubber particles on the
properties of concrete, which showed that there was a
reduction of about 7.9% in the flexural strength with the
Compresive strength (MPa)

40
addition of 25% rubber aggregate as the natural
35
aggregate replacement.
30 The same results obtained for the flexural strength, the
25 reduction in the flexural strength is proportional with
20 proportioning in rubber aggregates, whatever the size of
15 the aggregate. Ganjian et al. [28] have noticed 37%
10 reduction in flexural strength when tire chips were
5 partially replaced for coarse aggregates and 29% loss
0 when tire powder was partially replaced for cement. Su
SCC0%RA SCC10%RA SCC20%RA et al. [30] observed a reduction of 12.8% in the flexural
strength when 20% fine aggregate was substituted with
rubber (%)
rubber aggregate.

Fig. 4. Effect of coarse rubber content on the compressive strength
These results are in agreement with those observed by
[23]-[25] the increase in rubber content affected
negatively in unit weight and mechanical properties
(compressive, tensile and flexural strengths). Gesoglu et
al. [26], [27] have observed negative effect on the
compressive strength of pervious concrete due to the
action of tire rubber.
The rate of reduction in compressive strength
increased with increase in the rubber content. Ganjian et
al. [28] have obtained 10–23% reduction in compressive
strength when chipped rubber was replaced for
aggregates and 20–40% reduction when powdered rubber
was replaced for cement.
V.2.2. Flexural Strength
The results of the 28 days flexural strengths tests are
shown in Fig. 5.
As in the case of compressive strength, the inclusion
of rubber particles decreases both the tensile splitting and
the flexural strengths.
VI. Conclusion
The main objective of this paper aimed to determine
the effect of the coarse rubber on the rheological
properties and compressive strength of self-compacting
concrete. The following conclusions can be drawn from
experimental results summarized in section 5:
• This study showed that the substitution of the natural
aggregates (CNA) by the aggregates rubber (CRA), in
the composition of the Self-Compacting Concrete
(SCC), contributes to a slight variation of the
parameters of workability in a fresh state.
• The density of concrete containing RA tends to
decrease due to lower density of rubber compared to
natural aggregates NA.
• The compressive strength of the SCC decreases with
the increase in the percentage of RA. But the
compressive strengths of the SCC decreased slightly
in substituent 10% of coarse aggregates NA3/8 by the
RA (more than 35 MPa measured at 28 days).
Finally, the possibility to increase the use of coarse
rubber aggregates CRA in self-compacting concrete may
be regarded as a great environmental and economic
benefit. The SCC can bring a solution for certain work in
civil engineering. The study of microstructure and
durability represent the next research work in order to
complete the behavior knowledge of this self-compacting
concrete containing coarse aggregate rubber.

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Authors’ information
1
Laboratoire de Fiabilité des Matériaux et des Structures (FIMAS),
Université Tahri Mohammed Béchar BP 417 Béchar (08000), Algérie.
2
Laboratoire de Fiabilité du Génie Mécanique (LFGM), Université
Tahri Mohammed Béchar BP 417 Béchar (08000), Algérie.
Said Zaoiai, Professional Address: University
Tahri Mohammed Bechar, Faculty of
Technology, Department of Civil Engineering.
BP. 417 Bechar – Algeria, PhD student.
2009: License in Civil Engineering.
2011: Master in Civil Engineering, University of
Djelfa, Algeria.
E-mail: zawiamin@yahoo.com
Abdelkadir Makani, Professional Address:
University Tahri Mohammed Bechar, Faculty of
Technology, Department of Civil Engineering.
BP. 417 Bechar – Algeria, Assistant
Professor/Research Director.
2006: Engineer in Civil Engineering.
2007: Master in Civil Engineering “ Materials
and Structures” INSA, Toulouse. France.
2011: PhD in Civil Engineering, Toulouse University, France.
E-mail: makaniabdelkadir@yahoo.fr
Ahmed Tafraoui, Professional Address:
University Tahri Mohammed Bechar, Faculty of
Technology, Department of Mechanical
Engineering. BP. 417 Bechar – Algeria,
Professor/Research Director.
1991: Engineer in Mechanical Engineering.
2004: D.A.S. in Civil Engineering “Materials
and Structures” INSA, Toulouse. France.
2009: PhD in Civil Engineering, Toulouse University, France.
E-mail: ahmedtafraoui@yahoo.fr
Farid Benmerioul, Professional Address:
University Tahri Mohammed Bechar, Faculty of
Technology, Department of Civil Engineering.
BP. 417 Bechar – Algeria, PhD student.
2009: License in Civil Engineering.
2011: Master in Civil Engineering, Algeria.
E-mail: faridbba37@yahoo.com
International Review of Civil Engineering, Vol. 7, N. 2