Sustainable high-performance concrete: Using slag and recycled rubber
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62638/ZasMat1977Abstract
In this study, the mechanical and durability characteristics of M60 grade concrete using waste and industrial materials like rubber powder, silica sand, and GGBS were examined. Rubber powder is used as a substitute for fine aggregates, silica sand as a substitute for M sand, and GGBS as a substitute for cement. To evaluate the effects of the ingredients used in the study, sixteen different types of concrete mixes were prepared. The durability characteristics were evaluated using saturated water absorption, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and fast chloride penetration tests. The changes in the microstructure of the concrete mixtures were also examined using XRD analysis. Based on the results obtained during the testing, the addition of slag to the concrete mix greatly improved the durability characteristics. Based on the results obtained, the mix containing 40% slag addition had better durability characteristics than the others due to the lower absorption and penetration values and the higher ultrasonic pulse velocity values. This indicates the concrete mix is homogeneous and denser. The durability characteristics were also improved due to the addition of silica sand. However, the addition of rubber powder reduced the durability characteristics due to its hydrophobic and bonding properties.
Keywords:
Slag, Silica Sand, Rubber PowderReferences
D. A. Singaravel, P. Veerapandian, S. Rajendran, R. Dhairiyasamy (2024) “Enhancing high-performance concrete sustainability: integration of waste tire rubber for innovation” Sci. Rep., 14 (1), 4635. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55485-9
H. Bahmani, H. Mostafaei, P. Santos, N. Fallah Chamasemani (2024) “Enhancing the mechanical properties of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) through silica sand replacement with steel slag” Buildings, 14 (11), 3520. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14113520
X. Wei, S. Xie, A. Luo, Y. Liu, Y. Li, L. Wu (2025) "Performance improvement of ecologically friendly ultra-high performance concrete with waste tire recycled steel fiber." Constr. Build. Mater.,495, 143607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.143607
H. Bahmani and D. Mostofinejad (2025) “Sustainable high-performance concrete with sugar factory lime waste -activated slag and fiber reinforcement: Mechanical properties and environmental impact,” Constr. Build. Mater., 464, 140202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.140202.
P.S. Sajeev, Vijay Shankar GiriRajagopal, and Naveen Arasu (2025) “Investigation of concrete durability enhancement using supplementary cementitious materials,” MethodsX: 103527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2025.103527
R. T. Abd El-Hakim, G. M. Elgendy, S. M. El-Badawy, M. Amin (2022) "Performance evaluation of steel slag high performance concrete for sustainable pavements," Int. J. Pavement Eng., 23(11), 3819-3837. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2021.1922908
R. Shao, J. Li, S.Xu, Z. Yu, C. Wu (2025) "Sustainable design of rubberisedgeopolymer-based ultra-high performance concrete using waste tyres: Mechanical, microstructural, and environmental evaluation" Constr. Build. Mater., 502, 144477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.144477
D. A. Al Mashhadani, L. S. Wong, S. Y. Kong, A. W. Al-Zand, M. A. Midhin(2023) "An evaluative review of recycled waste material utilization in high-performance concrete," Civ. Eng. J.,9(11), 2927-2957. https://doi.org/10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-11-020
O. Youssf, A. M.Abbass, A. K. Ahmed, A. M.Tahwia (2025) "Sustainable High-Performance Geopolymer Concrete: The Role of Recycled Industrial Wastes in Strength, Durability, and Microstructure Enhancement," Infra., 10(9), 241. https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10090241
L. Z. Tuleun, A. A. Adedeji (2024) "Advancing ultra high performance concrete: Evaluation of recycled tire steel fibers and rice husk ash for enhanced sustainability and performance," Res. Sq. Version 1. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5165150/v1
M.S. Kachancheeri, V.S.G. Rajagopal, N.A. Anbarasu (2024) E-waste as a sustainable coarse aggregate replacement in concrete: Innovations and applications, Suranaree Journal of Science and Technology, 31(4), 010313. https://doi.org/10.55766/sujst-2024-04-e03792.
D. H. Dheyaaldin, O. Y. Bayraktar, A. Öz, G. Kaplan (2024) "Sustainable use of waste tire rubbers in eco-friendly and lightweight alkali-activated slag–silica fume mortars," Mater. Civ. Eng., 36(12), 04024432. https://doi.org/10.1061/JMCEE7.MTENG-18152
J. Xie, C. Fang, Z. Lu, Z. Li, L. Li (2018)"Effects of the addition of silica fume and rubber particles on the compressive behaviour of recycled aggregate concrete with steel fibres," J. Clean. Prod., 197, 656-667. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.06.237
H. Mostafaei, H. Bahmani, C. Wu (2026) "Sustainable high-performance concrete with rubber and PET waste: mechanical, dynamic, microstructural, and life cycle cost analysis," Int. J. Pavement Eng.,27(1), 2624578. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2026.2624578
K. Moolchandani, A. Sharma, K. Dharavath (2025) "Hybrid use of supplementary cementitious materials, industrial byproducts, and fillers for sustainable high-performance concrete" Discover Civil Eng.,2(1), 212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-025-00379-6
Q. H. Lương, H. H. Nguyễn, J. I. Choi, H. K. Kim, B. Y. Lee (2021) "Effects of crumb rubber particles on mechanical properties and sustainability of ultra-high-ductile slag-based composites" Constr. Build. Mater., 272, 121959. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121959
A. M. Tahwia, A. Essam, B. A. Tayeh, M. Abd Elrahman (2022) "Enhancing sustainability of ultra-high performance concrete utilizing high-volume waste glass powder" Case Stud. Constr. Mater., 17, e01648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01648
R. Malathy R, S. R. RajagopalSentilkumar, A. R. Prakash, B. B. Das, I. M. Chung, S. H. Kim, M. Prabakaran (2022) "Use of industrial silica sand as a fine aggregate in concrete—an explorative study" Buildings., 12(8), 1273. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12081273
N. Farzadnia, A. A. Ali, R. Demirboga (2011) "Incorporation of mineral admixtures in sustainable high performance concrete" IJSCET.,2 (1). https://publisher.uthm.edu.my/ojs/index.php/IJSCET/article/view/41
K.Annamalai, S.Sampathkumar, M.S.Kachancheeri, M. Padmanaban, O. Ayyanar, N.A. Anbarasu (2025) Exploring the role of recycled aggregates in modern concrete technology, Matéria (Rio de Janeiro), 30, e20250033. https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-7076-RMAT-2025-0033
K. J. Le Lee, Z. Zhang, K. H. Tan (2025) "Multiscale investigation of sustainable spalling-resistant ultra-high performance concrete containing sludge-derived slag derivates and recycled polypropylene fibre," Cem Concr Compos.,164,106289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106289
A. Sharma, R. V. Meena (2025) "Optimized high-performance concrete using Styrene–Butadiene Rubber and hybrid fibers: enhancing fresh, mechanical, durability, and microstructural properties for sustainable construction" Asian J. Civ. Eng., 26(4), 1635-1654. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42107-025-01271-5
H. Bahmani, H. Mostafaei (2026) “Sustainable high-performance concrete: harnessing recycled rubber and slag for strength and eco-friendliness,” Sci. Rep., 16, 7376. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-35362-3
S. Praburanganathan, S. Chithra, N. Divyah, N. Sudharsan, S.R. YeddulaBharath, S. Vigneshwaran (2022) "Value-added waste substitution using slag and rubber aggregates in the sustainable and eco-friendly compressed brick production " Rev. Constr., 21(1), 5-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.7764/rdlc.21.1.5
R. F. Motloq, W. I. Khalil, E. T. Dawood (2024) "Eco-friendly high performance lightweight concrete containing different tires waste materials" Innov. Infrastruct. Solut., 9(10), 396. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-024-01683-3
N.A. Anbarasu, M. Karuppusamy (2025) A review of sustainable construction and waste management: brick manufacturing using agro-industrial wastes, Zastita Materijala, 66(4), 913–927. https://doi.org/10.62638/ZasMat1354.
V. Arumugam, P. Rangasamy, E.F.P. Amalraj, A.R. Lourdu, S. Kannan, N.A. Anbarasu (2026) Integrating recycled rubber and slag for strength and low carbon footprint in sustainable high-performance concrete, Zastita Materijala. https://doi.org/10.62638/ZasMat1871






