Properties and durability of concrete containing polymeric wastes (tyre rubber and polyethylene terephthalate bottles): An overview

The volume of polymeric wastes like tyre rubber and polyethylene terephthalate bottles (PET) is increasing at a fast rate. An estimated 1000 million tyres reach the end of their useful lives every year and 5000 millions more are expected to be discarded in a regular basis by the year 2030. Up to now a small part is recycled and millions of tyres are just stockpiled, landfilled or buried. As for PET bottles annual consumption represent more than 300,000 million units. The majority is just landfilled. This paper reviews research published on the performance of concrete containing tyre rubber and PET wastes. Furthermore it discusses the effect of waste treatments, the size of waste particles and the waste replacement volume on the fresh and hardened properties of concrete.

► This paper deals with the properties and durability of concrete containing polymeric wastes.
► These concretes are recommended for structures located in areas of severe earthquake risk.
► The alkaline environment of the cement paste leads to a degradation of PET fibres.