Published Paper Details:

The growing accumulation of waste rubber and the demand for environmentally sustainable construction materials have prompted significant interest in alternative concrete technologies. One such approach involves the partial replacement of fine aggregate with crumb rubber and cement with silica fume. This combination has demonstrated potential in enhancing the mechanical and durability properties of concrete while mitigating environmental impact. This review systematically examines existing literature on the use of crumb rubber and silica fume in concrete, with emphasis on their influence on workability, compressive strength, performance, toughness, and long-term durability. Additionally, the effects of mix design variables, curing conditions, and replacement ratios are evaluated. While crumb rubber tends to decrease strength parameters, the inclusion of silica fume can effectively compensate for these losses and improve overall performance. The synergistic use of these materials presents a promising route toward more sustainable and high-performance concrete. This paper also identifies key research gaps and outlines future directions for optimizing these materials in both structural and non-structural applications.