Use of crumb rubber to improve thermal and sound properties of pre-cast concrete panel

In this study, the thermal and sound properties of crumb rubber concrete panel were investigated. The crumb rubber from used tires, produced in a local recycling plant, was used to replace fine aggregate at ratios of 10%, 20% and 30%. Properties such as thermal conductivity, thermal resistivity, heat transfer, conductance value, sound absorption at different frequency and noise reduction were investigated. Results indicated that crumb rubber concrete panel was not only lighter but had higher sound absorption and lower heat transfer properties than the conventional concrete panel. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.