Tires for Road Construction

Disregarding all the factors that influence the tire industry today, it is possible to clearly identify the vector along which it is moving. Of course, all manufacturers, one way or another, see the future in airless tires. The reason is simple: a significant part of the resource is simply not utilized by the tire. Due to punctures, cuts, and holes, tires are sent to landfills. Of course, recycling is not standing still, but priority for recyclers are truck tires, as they have a solid metal frame that is easy to separate from the rubber. In passenger tires, everything is a bit more complicated, as the composition includes textile, which is not so easy to separate from metal and rubber, and the amount of material obtained at the output is significantly less. In fact, we are faced with hundreds of thousands of unusable tires that are also hazardous waste due to their long decomposition period, around 500 years.

On the one hand, this is a problem, and on the other hand, it is a material that can be applied. Automotive tires can be used for road construction as part of an approach known as "hybrid waste utilization." This method involves recycling old tires and applying the resulting materials as construction components.

Here are several ways in which tires can be used for road construction:

Asphalt coating: crushed tires can be added to the asphalt mixture during road construction. This allows reducing the amount of asphalt used and improving the road's shock absorption. The addition of tires can also improve the grip and durability of the road surface.

Asphalt concrete: tires can also be used to produce asphalt concrete, which is used in road construction. Crushed tires are added to the asphalt concrete mixture, helping to increase the strength and durability of the coating.

Drainage: tires can be used to create a drainage layer under the road surface. Crushed tires are placed under a layer of asphalt or gravel, providing an effective drainage system and preventing water from accumulating on the road.

Sound insulation: tires can also be used to reduce the noise generated by traffic on roads. Using tires as a material for sound-insulating barriers or special asphalt coatings can significantly reduce the noise level from passing vehicles.

It is essential to note that using tires for road construction requires special processing and recycling of the material to ensure the safety and durability of the road surface. Technologies for recycling tires exist, and many countries are already applying such methods in their road infrastructure.

But some companies have gone even further. To apply rubber crumb, the tire needs to be recycled, but even before recycling, tires have a valuable property - their integrity. Road builders have found an application for this. Tires are fastened together and form a sturdy base for the future road. This method of construction has undeniable advantages due to its low cost and reduction in road construction costs. Additionally, tires in the base provide free drainage and allow water to pass through, effectively countering the formation of potholes and road unevenness.

Due to its properties, this method of construction is applied, as a rule, for repairing problematic sections with a high degree of soil erosion.