Tire Derived Aggregrate

There are numerous used of TDA.  Engineering specs have been used since 1990, ASTM D6270. Standard Practice For Use Of Scrap Tires In Civil Engineering Practices. 

Quick facts that might answer any questions you have:

  • The tires are not placed directly under the asphalt.  They are wrapped in a Geotextile wrap and then traditional aggregate is put on top of that, then the pavement.  So you won’t have to worry about hitting potholes with “exposed tires sticking out”. 
  • Shredded tires are IDEAL for eliminating frost heaving because of their permeability.
  • There are already standard engineering specs (ASTM D6270
    Standard Practice for Use of Scrap Tires in Civil Engineering Applications) and environmental reports (University of Maine leachate reports) on this practice.
  • Shredding of tires provides jobs for the province that would otherwise not exist.
     

Below are some enginering practices using TDA.

St. Stephen New Brunswick

The equivalent of an eight year supply of PEI tires was just recently used by the NBDOT in St. Stephen New Brunswick (2008).  Tires were used because heavier aggregate sunk in the low area, washing away normal heavier material.TDA has great attributes that make it perfect as light weight fill or protection against frost heaving in roads.

Tire Derived Aggregate - NB ExampleTDA - NB-TRACCRoller TDA Pile Of Tire ShredsMore TDA TiresGeothermal CoverEmbankement TIres

Portland Maine Jetport

1.2 million tires were used and an estimate of $300,000 was saved on the project. The material was used because they could not obtain stability on the weak foundation.  See more about the Maine Tire Project.

Tire Recycling Landfill Engineering Purposes

TDA can also be used in landfills as daily cover, leachate system, thermal insulation for membrane. Please see New York Landfill Report for more detailed report.

Transportation Benefits

Shredded tires are easier to transport.  For example, instead of sending 5 normal truckloads of full tires you could just send 1 truck of shredded tires.  This offers great economic and environmental benefits.

Other Resources

Using Shredded Tires as Lightweight Fill Material for Road Subgrades.