article · Naukovyi Visnyk Natsionalnoho Hirnychoho Universytetu
This research evaluates the effects of adding different forms of tyre waste to sandy soils to improve their mechanical characteristics and particle density. Ground, powdered, and fibrous tyre wastes were tested at inclusion levels of 2, 4, 6, and 8 percent. Adding tyre waste consistently lowers the density of soil solids and maximum dry density because rubber is lighter than sand. Fibrous tyre waste produced the largest reduction in density, reaching a maximum dry density of 1.57 tonnes per cubic metre at an 8 percent mixture rate, which is favourable for lightweight embankments. Mechanically, ground tyre waste maintained high California Bearing Ratio values, while powdered tyre waste caused a major reduction. Fibrous tyre waste increased unconfined compressive strength from 68.5 kilopascals in pure sand up to 82 kilopascals.
Disposing of used tyres presents a substantial environmental challenge. Using tyre waste to stabilise sandy soils offers an eco-friendly approach to civil engineering. By replacing conventional materials with lightweight rubber by-products, construction projects can decrease their environmental footprint while tailoring soil strength and weight for geotechnical uses such as road foundations and embankments.
This research provides applied experimental data relevant to civil engineering and infrastructure development contractors seeking low-cost, lightweight embankment fillers. The study demonstrates that fibrous tyre waste improves compressive strength while ground tyre waste preserves bearing performance. Because the work remains at an experimental testing stage, further standardisation and field trials would be required before these soil-tyre blends can be adopted in commercial construction projects.
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Purpose. To support and contribute to ecological and sustainable solutions, this paper aims to experimentally validate previous studies that proposed alternatives for improving soil characteristics using harmful waste. Methodology. This study investigates the incorporation of different percentages (2 %, 4 %, 6 %, and 8 %) of ground tire waste (GTW), powdered tire waste (PTW), and fibrous tire waste (FTW) into sandy soils (SS) to evaluate their effects on mechanical properties and particle density. Findings. The results indicate that the addition of tire waste consistently reduces both the density of soil solids and the maximum dry density due to the lower density of the tire materials compared to sand. The most pronounced reduction is observed with fibrous tire waste (FTW), resulting in a particle density of 2.19 t/m3 for the soil and a maximum dry density of 1.57 t/m3 at an 8 % incorporation rate, making these mixtures suitable for lightweight embankments. In terms of mechanical performance, GTW maintains high California Bearing Ratio (CBR) values, while PTW leads to a significant decline. Conversely, FTW enhances unconfined compressive strength (UCS) to 82 kPa, compared to 68.5 kPa for pure sand. Originality. The results of this study show the potential of tire waste in improving the mechanical properties and density of sandy soils, highlighting the importance of using waste in the field of geotechnics. Practical value. The findings reveal the potential of applying tire waste as an eco-friendly, sustainable, and cost-effective solution for infrastructure development.
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DOI: 10.33271/nvngu/2025-4/135
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