Flexural Behavior of Reinforced Rubberized Reactive Powder Concrete Beams under Repeated Loads

Non-biodegradability of rubber tires contributes to pollution and fire hazards in the natural environment. In this study, the flexural behavior of the Rubberized Reactive Powder Concrete (RRPC) beams that contained various proportions and sizes of scrap tire rubber was investigated and compared to the flexural behavior of the regular RPC. Fresh properties, hardened properties, load-deflection relation, first crack load, ultimate load, and crack width are studied and analyzed. Mixes were made using micro steel fiber of the straight type, and they had an aspect ratio of 65. Thirteen beams were tested under two loading points (Repeated loading) with small-scale beams (1100 mm, 150 mm, 100 mm) size. The fine aggregate is replaced by 5, 10, and 15%, respectively, with crumb rubber. While replacement of silica fume was 10, 20, 30, and 50%, respectively, with very fine rubber. Also, chip rubber was added to the mixture as coarse aggregate with 5, 10, and 15%. Five tested beams were chosen as case studies to analyze and compare the results of the ABAQUS software with the experimental results. The results showed that the flexural behavior of RRPC beams that contains rubber was acceptable when compared with the flexural behavior of the RPC beam (depending on load-carrying capacity). The crack width was decreased by including waste rubber and steel fibers. There is a satisfactory agreement between the results of the numerical analysis and the results of the experimental testing. Slight ultimate load differences are targeted between the effects of the monotonic loading and the repeated loading.