Effect of combination between hybrid fibers and rubber aggregate on rheological and mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete

Rubber aggregate recycled from waste tires are added to self-compacting concrete to improve some of its properties, such as durability, toughness, and concrete resistance to impact and vibrations. In this study, modified hybrid rubberized self-compacting concrete (SCC) was produced by utilization of recycled tire rubber aggregate, plastic waste (PET), and steel fibers. Rubber was used as a partial substitute for sand, with only 10%, while the fibers were utilized in two different proportions of 0.25% and 0.35% (volume). Several tests were achieved to evaluate the rheological properties of the modified hybrid fiber rubberized SCC such as slump flow, T500, V-funnel, L-box, and segregation resistance. In addition, the hardened properties such as density, compressive, tensile strengths, and modulus of elasticity were evaluated. Microstructural evaluation of rubberized mixes was conducted. The results showed that the addition of rubber aggregate at 10% content reduces the rheological properties of SCC. The T500 mm was influenced significantly up to 15% increase. Moreover, compressive strength decreased by about 14% at same amount of rubber aggregate, while the addition of hybrid fibers improves the mechanical properties despite the negative effect on the rheological properties of rubberized SCC. The tensile strengths increased significantly by the inclusion of 0.35% hybrid fibers. The positive action of the two types of fibers led to this increase. The combination of rubber aggregate and the hybrid fibers in SCC could affect its mechanical properties positively by balancing the weakness in strength due to the lack in of bonding between rubber aggregate and cement paste and to avoid the severe deterioration in tensile strength, improve the ductility, and enhance the energy absorption capacity, especially for members subjected to earthquake effects.