Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Crumb Rubber Tires Mixed with Silty Sand of Various Sizes and Percentages
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Review of the Risk of Recycling Crumb Rubber Tires
3. Materials and Methods
3.1. Materials
3.1.1. Sieve Test Description for Silty Sand
Composition of Silty Sand
3.1.2. Crumb Rubber Tires
Composition of Crumb Rubber Tires
3.2. Methods
3.3. Sample Preparation
3.3.1. Triaxial Test Procedure and Apparatus
Apparatus
Testing Procedure
- (1)
- The triaxial cell was first thoroughly cleaned, a rubber membrane was placed on the pedestal, the cylindrical container was positioned correctly, a water pipe was connected, an air pressure pipe was placed, and a membrane filler was placed on the pedestal’s bottom to prevent the sample from entering the hole.
- (2)
- A silty sand sample mixture was weighed and compacted at three levels according to the cell height. Once all three layers had been filled and compacted, a second membrane filler was placed on top of the filled and compacted sample, and the pedestal was then positioned and secured on top. By opening valve number five, the air inside was removed. If the pressure on the monitor screen was greater than −60 kPa, it was turned off. This serves to hold the sample upright, and it works particularly well with granular materials that are not self-supporting.
- (3)
- The cylindrical device that held the sample in place during compaction was removed, the small sample that had fallen was cleaned, and any issues found during compaction were noted for correction. The samples were then prepared for placement in a vacuum, which was released and fixed on the triaxial cell base. To prevent the loss of air pressure, the chamber should be secured by tightening the bolts, and then the system should proceed to the bottom load frame.
- (4)
- The triaxial cell sample was moved on top and connected to the bottom of the loading frame via the monitor screen. The valve was open to fill the water vacuum; once it was full, the small outlet pipe connected to the top ran out of the water, and the pump and valve were closed. The sample was then subjected to pressure via a monitor screen to ensure that there was enough water and oil. The strain rate speed was set at 0.6 mm/minute at the start of the test.
- (5)
- The name was set, and pressure was applied to the sample via the proper triaxial test procedure. When the pressure exceeded 100 kPa, valves 1 and 4 were opened to release the air pressure and waited until the applied pressure was reached. The axial force on the sample was applied, the shearing stage started, and the test continued until the sample reached failure [34,35,36]. Figure 6 show the sample processed after and before the triaxial test.
4. Test Results and Discussion
4.1. Triaxial Tests of Silty Sand and CRT Mixed with Silty Sand
4.1.1. Sizes of 3–6 mm at 3%, 6%, and 9% Ratios
4.1.2. Sizes of 5–10 mm at 3%, 6%, and 9% Ratios
4.1.3. Sizes of 10–20 mm at 3%, 6%, and 9% Ratios
4.2. Influence of Different Crumb Rubber Tire (CRT) Sizes
4.3. Influence of the CRT Mixing Ratio
4.4. Influence of the Confining Pressure
4.5. Influence of Triaxial Test Conditions
5. Determination of Triaxial Parameters
5.1. Expression Formula for Analysis of Data
5.2. The Secant Stiffness Modulus
Unconsolidated-Undrained Stiffness Moduli of Silty Sand and CRT-Mixed with Silty Sand at 3%, 6%, and 9% Crumb Tires and Sizes Ranging from 5 to 10 mm
5.3. The Peak Strength
5.4. The Shear Strength
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Soil Type | Density kg/m3 | Moisture Content % | Internal Friction Angle | Cohesion Angle | Permeability cm/s |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Silt sand | 1580 | 27.45 | 37.04 | 0 | 1.54 × 10−5 |
N | Name | Chemical Structure | Function |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Quartz | SiO2 | Is the most prevalent mineral in sandy soils. It is chemically inert, stable, and weather-resistant, making it a key framework component. |
2 | Feldspar | KAlSi3O8-NaAlSi3O8-CaAl2Si2O8 | It is a series of aluminum silicate minerals that are less durable than quartz; they are prone to chemical weathering and can convert into clay minerals over time. |
3 | Mica, also known as muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | A sheet silicate mineral occurring in small particles helps to maintain the flexibility and cohesion of silty and clayey soil fractions. |
4 | Clay minerals, including kaolinite | Al2Si2O5(OH)4 | Affect soil swelling, plasticity, and cation exchange capacity. |
n | Name | Chemical Structure | Function |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Natural rubber (cis-1,4-polyisoprene) | -(C5H8) n-. | Allows for chemical crosslinking during vulcanization, increasing flexibility and robustness. |
2 | Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR): | (C8H8), and (C4H6) | This copolymer has higher abrasion resistance and ageing stability than natural rubber, hence it is commonly utilized in tire manufacture. |
3 | Carbon black | c | It is used as a reinforcing filler. It improves the rubber’s mechanical strength, wear resistance, and UV stability. |
1. Tire Size (3–6) mm | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
TEST TYPE | Name | % of Tires | Confining Pressure | Number of Tests |
UU | Silty sand | 0% | (100 kpa,300 kpa and 500 kpa) | 3 |
CRT mixed with silty sand | 3% | (100 kpa,300 kpa and 500 kpa) | 3 | |
CRT mixed with silty sand | 6% | (100 kpa, 300 kpa and 500 kpa) | 3 | |
CRT mixed with silty sand | 9% | (100 kpa, 300 kpa and 500 kpa) | 3 | |
2. Tire Size (5–10) mm | ||||
TEST TYPE | Name | % of Tires | Confining Pressure | Number of Tests |
UU | CRT mixed with silty sand | 3% | (100 kpa, 300 kpa and 500 kpa) | 3 |
CRT mixed with silty sand | 6% | (100 kpa, 300 kpa and 500 kpa) | 3 | |
CRT mixed with silty sand | 9% | (100 kpa, 300 kpa and 500 kpa) | 3 | |
3. Tire size (10–20) mm | ||||
TEST TYPE | Name | % of Tires | Confining Pressure | Number of Tests |
UU | CRT mixed with silty sand | 3% | (100 kpa, 300 kpa and 500 kpa) | 3 |
CRT mixed with silty sand | 6% | (100 kpa, 300 kpa and 500 kpa) | 3 | |
CRT mixed with silty sand | 9% | (100 kpa, 300 kpa and 500 kpa) | 3 |
Tire Size (5–10) mm | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
TEST TYPE | Name | % of Tires | Confining Pressure | Number of Tests |
CU | CRT mixed with silty sand | 0% | (100 kpa,300 kpa and 500 kpa) | 3 |
CRT mixed with silty sand | 6% | (100 kpa, 300 kpa and 500 kpa) | 3 |
Soil Type | Applied Confining Pressure | Average (kPa) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
100 kPa | 300 kPa | 500 kPa | ||
Silt Sand | 365.32 | 888.84 | 1510.13 | 921.430 |
3% Tire, size (3–6) mm | 290.444 | 888.88 | 1557.53 | 912.285 |
6% Tire, size (3–6) mm | 106.8 | 908.02 | 1502.8 | 839.207 |
9% Tire, size (3–6) mm | 307.67 | 1136.64 | 1905.5 | 1116.603 |
3% Tire, size (5–10) mm | 257.99 | 1259.7 | 2064.41 | 1194.033 |
6% Tire, size (5–10) mm | 216.01 | 1161.625 | 1965.54 | 1114.392 |
9% Tire, size (5–10) mm | 293.46 | 1235.33 | 1867.17 | 1131.987 |
3% Tire, size (10–20) mm | 209.81 | 939.02 | 1674.32 | 941.050 |
6% Tire, size (10–20) mm | 297.08 | 906.18 | 1809.02 | 1004.093 |
9% Tire, size (10–20) mm | 246.89 | 1045.29 | 1686.56 | 992.913 |
Stiffness at Cell Pressure | Silty Sand | CRT Mixed with Silty Sand at 3% | CRT Mixed with Silty Sand at 6% | CRT Mixed with Silty Sand at 9% |
---|---|---|---|---|
E50 at 100 kPa | 53,818.5 | 81,128.93 | 34,418.41 | 38,310.7 |
E50 at 300 kPa | 111,663.317 | 99,345.42 | 80,859.32 | 74,687.4 |
E50 at 500 kPa | 99,024.91 | 125,880.61 | 73,759.38 | 81,040.36 |
Average | 88,168.9 | 10,2118.32 | 63,012.37 | 64,679.48 |
Soil Type | E50 at 100 kPa | E50 at 300 kPa | E50 at 500 kPa | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|
UU Silty sand | 53,818.5 | 111,663.317 | 99,024.918 | 88,168.9 |
CU Silty sand | 125,627.45 | 105,337.77 | 85,827.4 | 105,597.54 |
Soil Type | E50 at 100 kPa | E50 at 300 kPa | E50 at 500 kPa | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|
UU CRT mixed with silty sand 6% | 34,418.41 | 80,859.32 | 73,759.38 | 63,012.37 |
CU CRT mixed with silty sand 6% | 52,989.68 | 21,995.94 | 39,106.78 | 38,030.80 |
Soil Type | Cohesion Angle (c) | Friction Angle (∅) |
---|---|---|
UU Silty sand | 0 | 37.0 |
UU CRT mixed with silty sand at 3% | 0 | 42.9 |
UU CRT mixed with silty sand at 6% | 0 | 41.7 |
UU CRT mixed with silty sand at 9% | 0 | 40.9 |
Soil Type | Cohesion Angle (c) | Friction Angle (∅) |
---|---|---|
CU silty sand | 0 | 37.8 |
CU CRT mixed with silty sand at 6% | 0 | 40.2 |
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Theogene, S.; Sun, J.; Wang, Y.; Xu, R.; Sun, J.; Tao, Y.; Zhang, C.; Sun, Q.; Wu, J.; Yue, H.; et al. Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Crumb Rubber Tires Mixed with Silty Sand of Various Sizes and Percentages. Polymers 2025, 17, 2144. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17152144
Theogene S, Sun J, Wang Y, Xu R, Sun J, Tao Y, Zhang C, Sun Q, Wu J, Yue H, et al. Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Crumb Rubber Tires Mixed with Silty Sand of Various Sizes and Percentages. Polymers. 2025; 17(15):2144. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17152144
Chicago/Turabian StyleTheogene, Sindambiwe, Jianxiu Sun, Yanzi Wang, Run Xu, Jie Sun, Yuchen Tao, Changyong Zhang, Qingshuo Sun, Jiandong Wu, Hongya Yue, and et al. 2025. "Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Crumb Rubber Tires Mixed with Silty Sand of Various Sizes and Percentages" Polymers 17, no. 15: 2144. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17152144
APA StyleTheogene, S., Sun, J., Wang, Y., Xu, R., Sun, J., Tao, Y., Zhang, C., Sun, Q., Wu, J., Yue, H., & Zhang, H. (2025). Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Crumb Rubber Tires Mixed with Silty Sand of Various Sizes and Percentages. Polymers, 17(15), 2144. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17152144