Tire Recycling: an Alternative Raw Material for Sustainable Pavement Construction in the City of Valledupar - Cesar.

Abstract

The research emerged from the need to reduce the environmental and health impact caused by the improper disposal of tires and rubber when they reach the end of their useful life. Initially, tire and rubber collection and recycling were carried out, and through a crushing process, they were reduced to smaller particles suitable for the production of plastic sand as an alternative for pavement construction. The research was comprehensively addressed through the physical, chemical, and mechanical results of various tests in which the fine aggregate was replaced by recycled rubber granules in different percentages. Each mixture was evaluated by conducting tests for unit mass, moisture content, absorption, specific gravity, and compressive strength. These tests allowed determining the feasibility of using recycled rubber granules as an alternative raw material in civil engineering projects, providing a different option for replacing fine aggregate in pavement production.