Freeze/thaw resistance of mortar with recycled tyre waste at varying particle sizes

: There is a growing concerns in finding alternative solutions to construction materials, to 6 minimise their environmental impact as well as enhancing their service-life. This study investigates 7 the durability of cementitious mortars prepared by replacing fine aggregate (sand) with recycled 8 tyre shreds and crumbs, aiming at providing an alternative outlet to tyre waste disposal. Tyre shreds 9 obtained at different particle sizes, from fibres of 0.5 – 5.0 mm to crumbs of 0.1 – 0.85 mm in diame- 10 ter, were used as fine aggregate replacement at 20% by volume. The strength of mortar samples, 11 their thermal conductivity and water absorption rate were tested at the age of 28 days and after 20 12 freeze/thaw cycles. Results showed that mortar containing tyre crumbs at lower particle sizes re- 13 sulted in negligible shrinkage, improved freeze/thaw resistance, reduced water absorption by up to 14 52% and improved thermal resistivity