Thermal conductivity of hybrid recycled aggregate - Rubberized concrete

The following laboratory study examined the validity of incorporating varying amounts of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) and crumb rubber (RA) in order to create a hybrid recycled aggregate-rubberized concrete (RARC), which boasts both acceptable physical and mechanical properties while maintaining a relatively low thermal conductivity. Further, the combined use of RA and RCA ensures environmental sustainability that can be maintained through the reduction of raw materials required for new concrete while also reducing the dumping of scrap tires. The experimental investigation noted that a 20% replacement of natural coarse aggregates with RCA by weight, along with a 10% replacement of sand with RA by volume to produce RARC reduces the thermal conductivity of RARC relative to that of conventional concretes. Thus, indicating the viable application of RARC as a non-structural thermal insulating material. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.