Effect of aggressive environment on durability of concrete containing fibrous rubber shreds and silica fume

The present study deals with the investigation of durability properties of reinforced concrete fabricated by incorporating fiber type rubber shreds as fine aggregate in concrete and silica fume as a supplementary cementitious material. Concrete designs were produced to replace natural fine aggregate and cement by rubber shreds, and silica fume, respectively. The concrete mixes were studied for compressive strength up to 365 days, abrasion resistance, and water absorption up to 28 days. The carbonation and acid resistance (H₂SO₄ and HCl) properties were studied up to 90 and 180 days, respectively. Corrosion samples were tested up to 18 months for both macrocell current and half-cell potential. The incorporation of rubber shreds lowered the compressive strength of concrete and resistance to water absorption, carbonation, and corrosion. However, the resistance to abrasion and acid attack was enhanced on the utilization of rubber shreds in concrete. The presence of silica fume considerably enhanced the mechanical and durability properties of rubber shreds concrete and lowered the probability of corrosion.