The impact of end-of-life tires on the mechanical properties of fine-grained soil: A Review

Day by day, the quantum of “end-of-life tires” (ELT) is increasing at a rapid rate across the globe. The conventional methods, namely landfilling, stockpiling, and burning adopted for the management or disposal of this hazardous waste, are proven to have a greater amount of adverse impact on the environment, ecological systems, and health of human beings. The feasible and voluminous utilization of this inexpedient hazardous waste is only possible either in concrete industries or as an amendment of soil to attain the cleaner production for the rubber manufacturing and tire retreading and regrooving industries. Besides that, it could resolve the problems of authorities associated with the environmental aspect of waste rubber tire disposal. This paper enlightens the published research work carried out by geotechnical investigator’s fraternity on the geotechnical properties of fine-grained soil containing various forms of end-of-life tires, namely shreds, granulates (crumbles), fibres (buffings), chips, and ash. The effects of different forms of end-of-life tires on Atterberg’s limits, compaction parameters, shear strength, tensile strength, consolidation, swelling, permeability, California bearing ratio, durability, dynamic properties, and microstructure of fine-grained soil have been reviewed. Review reveals that inclusions of ELT in fine-grained soil have a promising future for its disposal, but still more in-depth investigations are required to solidify the conclusions drawn by past investigators for its popularization as construction material for embankments of highways and railways, as base and sub-base material for roads, and as filler material behind retaining wall.