Steel fibers from waste tires as reinforcement in concrete: A mechanical characterization

The environmental damage caused by improper management of waste tires increased over the past years creating a relevant problem to be solved. In the field of civil engineering results possible to re-utilize the steel fiber and the rubber of the waste tires. In particular the concrete obtained by adding recycled steel fibers shows a good mechanical improvement of the brittle matrix, as a consequence it appears to be a promising candidate for both structural and non-structural applications. In the present experimental work, as a continuation of the research already performed in this field by the authors, the post-cracking performances of RFRC (Recycled Fiber Reinforced Concrete) were evaluated by means tests on flexural elements and slabs. The effectiveness of the recycled fibers was evaluated in comparison with the experimental data obtained for specimens realized with IFRC (Industrial Fiber Reinforced Concrete). All fresh and hardened proprieties of concrete mixes were experimentally estimated. The post-cracking behavior of the RSFRC, obtained by flexural tests, was comparable with that of ISFRC. RSFRC specimens showed good energy absorption and good residual strength after cracking. However, technological issues related to fibers production and concrete mixes preparation, must be still investigated and a wider research is still required to validate the interesting founds.