Investigation of Mechanical and Physical Properties of Waste Tire Aggregate Used in Mortars

Abstract

Waste tires are one of the important problem of today. In this study, waste automobile tires are used as aggregate to produce mortars and properties of mortars were investigated. For this purpose, physical and mechanical tests were conducted on waste tire mortars at 7th and 28th day. Furthermore, microstructures of mortar specimens were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). In experiments, tire aggregate was used at three types of grain sizes. Tire aggregate was used in mortar mixtures instead of sand with the volumetric proportions of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 %. According to experimental results, compressive and flexural strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity of waste tire mortars were lower compared to control specimens. Therefore, waste tire mortars can be used where light weight and sound insulation properties are desired.