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Highlights

A more flexible and ductile concrete was produced with micronized rubber powder (MRP) and wood chip inclusions.

Abstract. This study sought to characterize the flexural and crack resistance properties of composite concrete that contained micronized rubber powder (MRP) and pine wood chips as a replacement for aggregate. Compressive and flexural strength tests were conducted along with tests for modulus of elasticity. Results confirmed that the strength of the concrete decreased with the inclusion of MRP and wood chips. Visual inspection revealed that the cracks tended to propagate more slowly and evenly through the cylindrical specimens when these inclusions were present than in 100% concrete (control) specimens. The failure mode of concrete with MRP and wood chips was more gradual and less sudden compared to 100% concrete. The compressive strength was reduced by up to 77% when MRP or wood chips were used as a replacement for aggregate. The modulus of rupture decreased by up to 57% compared to 100% concrete when MRP, wood chips, or a combination of both were as a replacement for aggregate. Visual observations revealed that the failure modes of concrete beams with MRP or wood chips in compression and flexural testing were less sudden and less catastrophic compared to 100% concrete beams. The modulus of elasticity decreased by up to 59% compared to 100% concrete. The concrete specimens with MRP and wood chips were more flexible and ductile, which provided a combination of properties that lessened the propagation of cracks throughout the specimen.