The study focused on the use of bales made up of 100 tyres compressed together and tied with metal wires.

Developed initially in the U.S. as a tyre storage method, the system has now been adapted with a tyre bale for construction – the Used Rubber Recycling Operation.

According to a PRW.com report, the research concludes that these tyre bales have an important role to play in construction, typically for specific situations such as road building on soft ground where tyre bales offer a clear weight advantage over heavier hardcore.

Project leader Dr Mike Winter reported to have commented: “Tyre bales are a valuable addition to the array of tools available to the construction industry.”

The study was carried out by The Transport Laboratory with funding generated under the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. It considered the properties of the URRO bales such as density, creep and contamination potential and their suitability for 24 large-scale construction applications, seven of which were analysed in detail.