Investigating the Strength and Density of Mortar with Rubber and Clamshell Powders

Abstract

Modern civilisation is increasingly prioritising sustainability to address environmental challenges like resource depletion and waste accumulation. Repurposing discarded materials such as vehicle tires and seashells into sustainable materials is vital for mitigating these issues. However, the mechanical properties of concrete may be weakened by including scraps of rubber. Similar problems related to the disposal of seashell waste include soil solidification and illegal dumping. This study looks at the possibility of using rubber powder (1%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) and clamshell powder (5%), respectively, as partial substitutes for sand and cement. Objectives include evaluating the physical and mechanical properties of mortar and determining the optimal percentage of rubber powder when combined with clamshell powder. After creating the mortar mixes, tests were conducted to determine flexural strength, density, and compression after 7, 14, and 28 days of curing. According to the results, compression strength decreases with increasing rubber powder percentages. 15% showed the lowest compression strength (20.163 MPa) and 1% the greatest (28.197 MPa). Furthermore, flexural testing showed that a 1% rubber powder combined with clamshell powder was best. By recycling waste materials, using 1% rubber powder and 5% clamshell powder in mortar can help solve environment challenges. However, it’s crucial to properly balance these amounts to ensure the strength of the mortar. Although this strategy contributes significantly to sustainability, it is not a comprehensive solution to the larger environmental problems; it is only one aspect of the picture. It can be concluded that the optimum percentage of rubber that can be used with 5% clam shell powder is 1%.