Waste Tire Residues for the Production of Permeable Concrete: Mechanical and Permeability Performance

Abstract

Pervious concrete is widely used in sustainable urban infrastructure due to its capacity to promote stormwater infiltration through a highly interconnected pore structure. However, its relatively low mechanical strength limits its broader structural application. This study evaluates the incorporation of recycled tire rubber and tire-derived fibers in pervious concrete and analyzes their influence on compressive strength and hydraulic permeability. Rubber particles and nylon tire fibers obtained from an end-of-life tire recycling facility were incorporated into experimental mixtures at different replacement levels. Rubber replaced the fine aggregate fraction at 5–20%, while fibers were added at 1–5% by mass of cement. Cylindrical specimens were produced and tested for compressive strength at 7 and 28 days, and permeability was measured using a constant-head method. Results indicate that moderate rubber incorporation (5–10%) does not significantly reduce compressive strength and may slightly improve permeability due to enhanced pore connectivity. However, higher rubber contents progressively decrease both strength and permeability, likely due to partial blockage of interconnected voids. Fiber addition significantly influenced mechanical performance, with a 1% fiber content producing the highest compressive strength at both curing ages. Excessive fiber contents reduced strength and altered the pore structure. Results demonstrate that controlled incorporation of tire-derived waste materials can enhance the functional performance and sustainability of pervious concrete when mixture proportions are carefully optimized.