Valorization of waste tire rubber and natural fibers for the production of low environmental impact mortars

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to demonstrate, both technically and experimentally, the feasibility of partially using waste tire rubber as a substitute for natural sand, with the incorporation of natural fibers, in the production of low environmental impact mortars. The experimental study involved comparing the performance of a reference mortar with that of mortars incorporating different substitution rates of waste tire rubber: 10%, 20%, and 30% with 1% of natural fibers. The properties were evaluated in both the fresh state (workability, consistency) and the hardened state (mechanical strength and durability performance). The results obtained indicate that the incorporation of waste tire rubber and natural fibers into the formulation of low-impact mortars is technically feasible. In fact, the performance of mortars with certain substitution rates remains comparable to that of the control mortar, both in terms of workability and mechanical strength. Beyond certain substitution rates, some deterioration in properties is observed, but they remain within acceptable limits depending on the intended applications. The partial use of waste tire rubber and natural fibers in the production of low environmental impact mortars represents a promising alternative for the valorization of waste materials, while also contributing to the reduction of natural resource exploitation and environmental pollution.