Sustainability and Mechanical Performance Evaluation of Cementitious Composites Reinforced with Waste Rubber Aggregates and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag

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Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | 01 | Page :
    By

    Aseem Kumar,

  • Deepak Kumar Tiwari,

  1. , Department of Civil engineering, GLA University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
  2. , Department of Civil engineering, GLA University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

The development of environmentally responsible composite materials has gained global momentum with the shift toward circular and sustainable construction practices. In this work, the performance of cementitious composites that partially substitute natural fine and coarse aggregates with recycled rubber aggregates from end-of-life tires and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) as an additional cementitious material is examined. A total of thirty composite mixes were formulated by varying GGBS (10–30%) and rubber aggregate content (0–30%). Mechanical characterization included compressive, split tensile, and flexural strength testing at 3, 7, and 28 days, while impact resistance was evaluated to assess energy absorption and post-failure ductility. The SC10 mix (20% GGBS, 0% rubber) demonstrated the highest performance with a 28-day flexural strength of 7.8 MPa. Controlled incorporation of rubber aggregates (up to 10%) maintained mechanical integrity, whereas higher substitutions (20–30%) led to strength reduction due to weak interfacial bonding and increased porosity. However, rubberized composites exhibited significantly enhanced impact resistance and crack arresting capability, confirming a beneficial toughness-strength trade-off. The study establishes the potential of hybrid GGBS–rubber concrete as a sustainable composite material with promising structural and shock-resistant applications, aligning with circular economy principles by promoting industrial waste utilization.

Keywords: Sustainable composites, GGBS, Rubber aggregates, Mechanical behavior, Waste utilization

How to cite this article:
Aseem Kumar, Deepak Kumar Tiwari. Sustainability and Mechanical Performance Evaluation of Cementitious Composites Reinforced with Waste Rubber Aggregates and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):-.
How to cite this URL:
Aseem Kumar, Deepak Kumar Tiwari. Sustainability and Mechanical Performance Evaluation of Cementitious Composites Reinforced with Waste Rubber Aggregates and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=236590


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Ahead of Print Subscription Review Article
Volume 14
01
Received 27/10/2025
Accepted 06/12/2025
Published 06/02/2026
Publication Time 102 Days
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