Stabilization of River Sand with Waste Tire Crumb

Abstract

The global population continues to experience an increase in the amount of tire waste, which is an undesirable surplus from the urban-industrial sector. One potential method of disposing of the waste can be the usage of the refuse as a stabilizing agent in sands, which can improve their strength properties and bearing capacity. However, there is a growing need to find alternatives to this waste, as improper disposal can lead to the breeding of mosquitos which can cause serious health and environmental issues, as well as creating a fire hazard. One potential use of these discarded tires is to mix crumb rubber which has been prepared by the shredding of waste tires with soils with weak fine grains in order to enhance its geotechnical properties. For the purpose of investigation of the effects of rubber on bearing capacity, shear stress of sand, some laboratory tests were conducted on sand containing a variety of sand and tire mixtures with 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% waste tire particle weights. Direct shear test devices have been used for the purpose of examining effects of rubber in terms of shear stress. CBR test equipment are utilized for seeing the impact of rubber waste in bearing capacity of sand and rubber mixtures. The addition of 2.5% of rubber to the sand significantly reduced shear stress. After 2.5%, shear stress gradually increased. As the rubber content increases, so does the drop in unit weight, dry unit weight and water content. The specific gravity parameter also decreases with the increase in rubber content. The decrease in CBR value is also seen with the increase in the amount of rubber in the sand. Addition up to 2.5% of the tire crumb in the sand significantly reduces shear stress. However, more percentage of the crumb leads to an increase in this parameter. Different results are obtained with shear stress as the shear displacement increases. Adding tire crumb to the sand does not increase the CBR value. Sand and rubber mixtures are very lightweight materials. Tire crumb application for retaining structures is still promising