Testing and comparison of concrete barriers containing shredded waste tire chips

In this study, concrete specimens containing shredded waste tire chips were evaluated using laboratory and field tests. A total of 24 cylindrical specimens, 15 cm x 30 cm in size, were tested to determine the compressive strength of concrete at 7 and 28 days. For the dynamic tests, on the other hand, 6 New Jersey shaped concrete barriers were constructed using the identical mix designs used in the static tests. Results of the study showed that tire addition reduced the compression strength and modulus of elasticity of specimens. Dynamic impact tests show that increase in tire percentage has significant effect on the reduction in vehicle peak deceleration forces and thus impact severity. Based on the static and dynamic test results, it can be concluded that specimens with 20 to 40% aggregate replacement gives the best impact performances without significant reduction in concrete strength. Concrete barriers containing larger amounts of tire can be used at highway applications where concrete fracture is desired for energy dissipation, such as crash cushion and end treatment applications. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.