Anti-vibration characteristics of rubberised reinforced concrete beams

The flexural and vibration properties were examined in order to evaluate the anti-vibration characteristics of rubber modified reinforced concrete beam. The rubberised mixtures were produced by replacing 5, 7.5, and 10 % by mass of the fine aggregate with 1–4 mm scrap truck tyre crumb rubber particles. A series of reinforced concrete beam (1,200 × 135 × 90 mm3) was tested in a free vibration mode and then subsequently in a four point flexural tests. The input and output signals from vibration tests were utilised to calculate various dynamic parameters such as natural frequencies, frequency response function, dynamic modulus of elasticity and damping ratio. The results showed that compared to control mixture, gradual reductions of natural frequencies in first six modes of all rubberised beams with the highest being in the mixture with 10 % rubber contents. In addition, despite the reduction in overall strength, rubberised mixtures showed flexibility under loading due to the higher energy absorption capacity of rubber particles. Compared to control mixture, the results also showed a uniform global decrease in the dynamic modulus over the span. The reduction was found as high as 26 % in the mixture with 10 % rubber content. The results indicated that the rubberised concrete exhibits better anti-vibration properties and could be a viable alternative to use as vibration attenuation material where resistance to impact or blast is required such as in railway buffers, jersey barriers (a protective concrete barrier used as a highway divider and a means of preventing access to a prohibited area) and bunkers.