Feasibility study on utilisation of clay–waste tyre rubber mix as construction material

This paper assesses the possibility of utilisation of clay–waste tyre rubber mixes as construction materials for geotechnical structures. Rubber granulates (R_g) and rubber fibres (R_f) were blended with  2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% clay content. The various combinations of clay–rubber granulates (CR_g) and clay–rubber fibres (CR_f) were subjected to the sequence of compaction, strength, consolidation and swelling pressure tests. A linear decrementing trend of compaction parameters was observed with an increase in R_g and R_f contents. An insignificant rise in unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and splitting tensile strength (STS) of clay was observed with the addition of R_g and R_f up to 5 and 2.5%, respectively. Higher inclusions had reduced the UCS and STS of clay. However, a continual increase in failure strain was observed with an increase in R_g and R_f contents. The compression index of CR_g and CR_f mixtures was found to increase with the increase of R_g and R_f contents. A continuous decrease in the soaked California bearing ratio and swelling pressure (σ_s) of CR_g and CR_f mixtures was observed with the increase in R_g and R_f contents. In view of code requirements, the pre-requisite treatment of CR_g and CR_f mixtures should be carried out before field applications.