Influence of Steel fibre Reinforcement on the Flexural Performance of Rubberized Concrete Beams.

Authors

1 kundrathur

2 Annamalai university

Abstract

Accumulation of discard rubber on the land surface contributes to environmental pollution. To mitigate this issue, waste rubber can be incorporated in to the concrete as a replacement for coarse aggregate. The addition of waste rubber in concrete results in insufficient strength due to the weak bond between the cement matrix and rubber shreds. To enhance this bond, a sand coating with resin is applied to the surface of the rubber shreds. This study investigates rubberized concrete beams with and without steel fibre reinforcement. Rubber shreds were added at 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%, and steel fibres at 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%. A total of twelve beams, each measuring size is 250mmx150mmx3000mm were prepared. Of these, three were cast without steel fibres, while the remaining nine were prepared with rubber and steel fibres. The beams were tested under four - point bending over a test span of 2800mm. The test results showed that beams incorporating steel fibres and sand-coated rubber shreds exhibited improved flexural performance in terms of first crack load, deflection at first crack, yield load, deflection at yield, ultimate load, deflection at ultimate, and energy ductility compared to those without fibres.

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Main Subjects



Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 21 September 2025
  • Receive Date: 12 March 2025
  • Revise Date: 22 August 2025
  • Accept Date: 17 September 2025