In this study it is presented some relevant properties of light masonry mortars composed of cement, lime, washed river sand, vermiculite and recycled rubber aggregates from wasted tires. The properties of these mortars were comparatively evaluated to similar ones using the same components except recycled rubber aggregates. The properties in the fresh condition such as; consistency, mass density, mixing water, entrained air content, final set time and the properties in the hardened state such as apparent density, compressive strength and adherence tensile strength, were the comparison parameters. The results indicate that the properties in fresh condition of the rubber containing mortars were similar to those of mortars without rubber aggregates. On the other hand, in the hardened condition the axial compressive strength and adherence tensile strength of the rubber containing mortars were superior to those of mortars without rubber aggregates. The apparent densities of the rubber containing mortars were bigger than the ones without rubber aggregates, however, they still could be categorized as light weight mortars, fully satisfying the Brazilian standards requirements. These findings indicate that the vermiculite and rubber combination are a feasible, cheaper and sustainable alternative for light weight masonry mortars compared to the ones containing only vermiculite.
light weight mortar; expanded vermiculite; recycled rubber tire
