Effect of rubber size on the behaviour of sand-rubber mixtures: A numerical investigation

Mixtures of sand and rubber particles were simulated using DEM. Rubber content varied from 0% to 50%. The numerical samples were sheared in the range of 10(-5)-10(-2)% of epsilon(1). The macro-mechanical response changed depending on the size of rubber particles. As the size of the rubber particles increased, the effect of rubber in the internal structure was attenuated, facilitating the force transmission through sand-sand contacts. Largest rubber particles showed the most advantageous mechanical behaviour. Nevertheless, the selection of both rubber size and content will depend on the intended purpose of use for the mixtures. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.