Light Weight Concrete (Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate Using Recycled Tyres)

Abstract

The increasing generation of waste tyres has emerged as a significant environmental challenge, necessitating sustainable methods for their disposal and reuse. One promising approach is the incorporation of recycled tyre aggregates into concrete production to develop lightweight and eco-friendly construction materials. This study investigates the effect of partial replacement of natural coarse aggregates with recycled tyre chips in lightweight concrete. Experimental work was carried out with varying percentages of tyre replacement to evaluate fresh and hardened properties, including density, workability, compressive strength, and impact resistance. The results demonstrate that although the inclusion of tyre aggregates leads to a reduction in compressive strength compared to conventional concrete, it significantly improves ductility, energy absorption, and weight reduction. These findings suggest that recycled tyre-based lightweight concrete offers potential for application in non-load-bearing structural elements, pavements, and impact-resistant construction, thereby promoting resource conservation and environmental sustainability. An attempt has been made to check the possibility of reuse of recycled tyres in Light Weight Concrete by investigating compressive strength of M25 grade plain concrete and compressive behaviour of RC member for 20 and 30% replacement by recycled tyres.