Determination and assesment of shear strength parameters of sand with tire waste inclusions

Abstract

Using tire wastes as lightweight material in constructions is a good alternative to benefit them rather than disposing as waste. Thus, many economical, environmental and technical advantages are gained. To use tire wastes as construction materials, they are processed and different sizes of tire wastes are produced. Until now many studies have been done but it is still not very clear about the shear strength parameters and characteristics of tire wastes. The objective of this study is to investigate the possibility of using tire wastes to reinforce sand. Large-scale direct shear tests were conducted on the mixtures of dry sand, tire crumb and tire buffings. The following factors were studied to evaluate their influence on shear strength; normal stress, tire waste shape and tire waste content. On the basis of experimental results, it is seen that the inclusion of tire waste to the sand increased the shear strength parameters.