Mechanical and damage behaviour of mortar–rubber aggregates mixtures: experiments and simulations

The reuse of rubber wastes of worn tires in aggregate form, to serve as a building material, is appreciated to preserve environment. This study aims to examine the mechanical behaviour of a mortar–rubber aggregates material. A multi-phase model called 2M2C (2 Mechanisms and 2 Criteria) which take the volume fraction substitution of rubber into account is investigated with the help of stress–strain curves. The proposed model is based on the localization of the stress on the phases level (rubber and mortar, respectively) and the homogenization of the local plastic strains. The model has also incorporated an isotropic damage variable to describe the loss of compressive strength. The experimental tests are well simulated by the model. Also, the simulations provide local informations such as damage evolution and local plastic strains.