Utilization of copper slag and discarded rubber tyres in construction

   Utilization of copper slag and discarded rubber tyres in construction

This paper is a part of an experimental investigation to study the structural characteristics of concrete using various combinations of copper slag and discarded rubber tyres for the partial replacements for fine and coarse aggregates. The copper slag and rubber tyres are mixed with natural aggregates to prepare concrete. The concrete mix of grade M30 (i.e. 1:1.38:3.23) was adopted with water cement ratio 0.5. Concrete cubes, cylinders and beams were casted with varying contents of rubber pieces (as coarse aggregate) and copper slag (as fine aggregate). The test specimens were cured and tested for compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, water absorption and ultrasonic pulse velocity as per IS specifications. It was found that the strength of concrete is increased due to the presence of copper slag. When the rubber tyre pieces are replaced up to definite percentage of coarse aggregates, there is no decrease in strength. The concrete with copper slag and the rubber tyre pieces could be useful for all structures.