Work

Influence of Waste Tire Rubber Particle Size and Content on Mechanical Properties and Energy Dissipation of R-CTB

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: To achieve the resource utilization of waste tires and improve the mechanical performance of cemented tailings backfill, rubber-cemented tailings backfill (R-CTB) specimens were prepared with four rubber particle sizes (20-, 40-, 60-, and 80-mesh) and four contents (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%). A 0% rubber control group was introduced to address the lack of quantitative comparison. Uniaxial compression, digital image correlation (DIC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to study mechanical behavior, energy evolution, and microstructural characteristics at 7 and 28 days. Results indicate that strength and elastic modulus first increase then decrease with particle size and decrease with content rise. Compared with the control group, R-CTB shows lower strength but significantly higher ductility and energy dissipation. Finer particles cause strain localization; higher content and finer size increase pores and weaken interfaces. Rubber incorporation transforms failure from brittle to ductile, providing a basis for engineering application.

Source: Materials

DOI: 10.3390/ma19091676

Authors: Jie Wang, Yuanfan Liu, Kun Wang, Yan Li, Jianxin Fu

Institution: University of Science and Technology Beijing

Language: English

Topic: Tailings Management and Properties

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137