Strength, abrasion and permeation characteristics of cement concrete containing discarded rubber fine aggregates

•Waste tyre rubber (a solid waste material) is used in cement concrete as a partial replacement of natural river sand.•M30 grade of concrete was used with water/cement ratio 0.4. w/c ratios 0.45 and 0.5 were also studied.•Aim was to dispose the solid waste material, and to find an alternate to natural sand in concrete construction.•0–20% substitution of fine aggregates, in multiples of 2.5% was done with crumb rubber.•Crumb rubber may be utilized for the replacement for fine aggregates up to 7.5% without enough reduction in its desired strength. Solid waste disposal is a worldwide problem. If not properly disposed, these materials become sources of environmental pollution and the problems related to it. Various studies are done worldwide to dispose these solid waste materials by using them for partial or complete replacement of aggregates in cement concrete. Discarded tyre rubber is an important solid waste material that destroys the ecological environment. This paper investigates the suitability of waste tyre rubber in cement concrete as a partial replacement for natural river sand. M30 grade of concrete is designed as per IS 10262: 2010, with water/cement ratios of 0.4. Water–cement ratios of 0.45 and 0.5 were also studied. 0–20% substitution of fine aggregates, in multiples of 2.5% was done with discarded tyre rubber (crumb rubber). The specimens with 0% discarded tyre rubber were taken as control mix. Tests were done to determine the compressive strength, flexural strength, abrasion resistance, micro-structure, water permeability, and Sorptivity in concrete specimens. It was observed that discarded tyre rubber may be utilized for the partial replacement for natural fine aggregates up to 7.5% without enough reduction in its desired strength.