BLOQUES DE MAMPOSTERÍA DE HORMIGÓN CON NEUMÁTICOS RECICLADOS: DISEÑO, FABRICACIÓN Y EVALUACIÓN

Abstract

The rapid growth of cities and intense construction have increased demand for concrete, depleting resources, and replacing them with polluting waste such as old tires. The purpose of this research article is to design and manufacture a concrete masonry block by incorporating recycled tires and other additives. The methodological strategy developed integrates both an analytical and a practical component, as it includes, on the one hand, an exhaustive bibliographic investigation and, on the other, the execution of an experimental phase. The latter comprises the development of scale models, which are subsequently evaluated through specific tests aimed at determining their resistance to simple compression, their density, and their absorption capacity. The results obtained confirm that the addition of recycled rubber did not alter the vibrocompaction procedure, with no disintegration upon demoulding. After 28 days, compression tests revealed that the blocks with rubber cracked but did not fracture due to their elasticity. Despite the decrease in strength with more rubber, they meet the standards for non-structural masonry and absorption. However, mixtures with metakaolin exceeded limits and are not structurally suitable. This research confirms the viability of reusing tires in masonry blocks: although more rubber reduces strength, some prototypes meet standards, offering sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives for construction.

Keywords: Sawdust, concrete block, rubber, cellular concrete, metakaolin.