Feasibility study of a soil-based rubberized CLSM.

Area of Science:

• Civil Engineering
• Materials Science
• Environmental Engineering

Background:

• Growing demand for beneficial uses of recycled scrap tires globally.
• Environmental and ecological challenges in Taiwan related to excavated soil disposal and aggregate production.
• Need for sustainable materials in infrastructure development, particularly for bridge approach repairs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the technical feasibility of a novel soil-based, rubberized controlled low strength material (CLSM).
• To assess the impact of varying cement-to-water (C/W), water-to-solid (W/S) ratios, and rubber content on engineering properties.
• To evaluate the suitability of this rubberized CLSM for bridge approach repair applications.

Main Methods:

• Experimental study involving mixtures of recycled crumb rubber and native silty sand.
• Systematic variation of weight ratios (C/W, W/S) and rubber content.
• Evaluation of key engineering properties: flowability, unit weight, strength, settlement potential, and bearing capacity.

Main Results:

• A soil-based rubberized CLSM mixture with 40% sand, C/W ratio of 0.7, and W/S ratio of 0.35 demonstrated acceptable performance.
• The developed material exhibited suitable flowability, strength, and bearing capacity for bridge approach repair.
• The material's low unit weight and negligible compressibility indicate a low risk of detrimental settlement.

Conclusions:

• The developed soil-based rubberized CLSM is technically feasible for bridge approach repairs.
• This innovative material provides a beneficial alternative for scrap tire reduction and resource conservation.
• The study presents a novel approach to CLSM production, addressing waste management and material sustainability.