Properties of Desert Sands Reinforced with Ground Tire Rubber in Kuwait

The abundance of waste tires in Kuwait created a major problem requiring disposal sites and causing environmental and safety problems especially in the summer months as the temperature often exceeds 50 degrees C. Numerous fires have occurred causing air contamination and health hazards. To find useful uses of ground tire rubber an extensive laboratory testing program was carried out using rubber aggregates produced locally as additive in small quantities up to 20% by weight to the local surface sands of Kuwait. Testing included grain size, unit weight, Modified Proctor compaction, permeability, direct shear, consolidation, and CBR tests. The effect of increased rubber content on the different properties was measured. The results indicate a reduction of the density and CBR, an increase in the permeability and compressibility and no change in the angle of friction phi with increasing rubber content. Therefore, the use of rubber additive is beneficial for many practical applications such as light weight fill, as a drainage layer, and on the grounds of sporting facilities, and in embankment construction.