Swell–shrink–consolidation behavior of rubber–reinforced expansive soils

Abstract

This study examines the effects of two types of recycled tire rubber of fine and coarse categories on the swell–shrink–consolidation behavior of a highly expansive soil mixture. Each of the two rubber choices were incorporated into the soil at four different content levels (i.e., rubber to dry soil mass ratio) of 5, 10, 20, and 30 %. The experimental program consisted of consistency limits, compaction, swell–consolidation, swell–shrink, and unconfined compression tests. Improvement in the swell–shrink–consolidation capacity was in favor of higher rubber contents; however, when excessively included, it raised strength concerns. The swell–shrink–consolidation properties were also rubber size-d..