Abstract:

To prompt the usage of scrap tires in civil engineering in China, the compaction properties of granulated tires and loess mixtures, with a granulated rubber content of 0%-50% by weight, were studied by standard and modified Proctor compactor and a cutting ring compactor specially designed by the authors for comparison. Test results show that the compaction properties of the mixtures are similar to that of loess soil when the granulated rubber content is less than 20%, but similar to that of a cohesionless soil when the content is more than 40%. A power function relationship was found between the maximum dry density and the optimum water content for mixtures with various compaction efforts. Compaction effort shows less effect on the maximum effective dry density of mixtures with granulated rubber content of 10%-30%. A power funtion relationship is existed between optimum water content and granulated rubber content. Test data show that 30% and 40% of granulated rubber is an optimum addition content for granulated rubber and loess mixtures. Compaction parameters of mixtures have been proposed for design based on laboratory test results.

Key words: scrap tires, granulated rubber, compaction properties, loess