Product
Tire-Derived Aggregate (TDA)
Lightweight, free-draining shredded tire material for civil engineering, landfill construction, and infrastructure projects. Compliant supply from Eco Tire Solutions.
Request a QuoteWhat Is Tire-Derived Aggregate?
Tire-Derived Aggregate (TDA) is shredded or chipped scrap tire material used as a lightweight fill or drainage aggregate in civil engineering and construction applications. TDA weighs approximately 30–50% less than conventional soil or gravel, making it ideal where weight reduction and drainage are critical.
TDA is recognized by ASTM International (ASTM D6270) and has been approved for use in a wide range of infrastructure and environmental engineering projects across the United States.
Eco Tire Solutions produces TDA from waste tires collected across South Carolina, Georgia, and surrounding states. Our material meets ASTM D6270 specifications and is available in bulk quantities for contractors, engineers, and municipalities.
Type A vs. Type B TDA
Type A — TDA Shreds
Larger particle size: 75–300mm
- • Retaining wall backfill
- • Large road embankments
- • Slope stabilization fills
- • Frost insulation layers
- • Vibration dampening applications
Type B — TDA Chips
Smaller particle size: 12–75mm
- • Drainage blankets and French drains
- • Landfill leachate collection systems
- • Gas collection layers
- • Stormwater management
- • Applications requiring tighter gradation
We can supply either Type A or Type B depending on your project specification. Contact us to discuss your application requirements.
TDA Specifications
Chip Size
Shreds: 75–300mm | Chips: 12–75mm (ASTM D6270)
Unit Weight
~25–35 lbs/ft³ (vs. 100–130 lbs/ft³ for soil)
Drainage
High hydraulic conductivity — free-draining
Compressibility
Moderate — suitable for fills with proper design
Steel Content
Minimal exposed wire — processed for safety
Standard
ASTM D6270 — Standard Practice for Use of Scrap Tires in Civil Engineering Applications
Packaging
Bulk loads — end dump or walking floor trailers
Delivery
FOB Hartwell, GA or Georgetown, SC — delivered within service radius
Primary Uses of TDA
TDA is utilized across several key engineering and environmental applications. Engineers and contractors specify TDA because it solves problems that conventional aggregate cannot — at a competitive cost.
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Lightweight Backfill
Used behind retaining walls, bridge abutments, and in road embankments to significantly reduce the load placed on weak underlying soils. TDA weighs roughly one-third as much as gravel, making it ideal where traditional fill would cause settlement or structural stress.
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Drainage & Stormwater
Because TDA is highly permeable, it is widely used for drainage layers, French drains, and within landfill leachate and gas collection systems. Its free-draining properties outperform conventional aggregate in most drainage applications.
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Septic Systems & Drain Fields
TDA is used as a lightweight, free-draining aggregate replacement for crushed stone in septic system drain fields and leach field trenches. Its high hydraulic conductivity allows effluent to percolate efficiently, and its low weight reduces soil compaction. An increasingly popular alternative to conventional gravel in absorption field construction for homebuilders and septic installers.
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Vibration Mitigation
Acts as an excellent shock absorber. TDA is often laid underneath light rail and train tracks to reduce ground vibrations and noise for surrounding neighborhoods — a proven application in transit infrastructure.
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Landslide & Slope Stabilization
Its lightweight nature and free-draining properties help shore up unstable hillsides and prevent erosion. TDA reduces driving forces in slope stability applications, helping prevent landslides and embankment failures.
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Frost Heave Prevention
Used beneath road surfaces in cold climates; TDA's insulating properties limit frost penetration and reduce the destructive freeze-thaw cycle — extending pavement life and reducing maintenance costs.
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Leachate Collection Systems
Used as a drainage layer in landfill leachate and gas collection systems. High hydraulic conductivity keeps leachate moving efficiently to collection pipes, meeting regulatory requirements.
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Road Embankments & Fills
Lightweight fill for road embankments over soft soils. Reduces settlement and eliminates the need for deep foundation improvements in many applications.
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Insulation Fill
TDA provides thermal insulation in frost-susceptible soils — used under roads and foundations to prevent frost heave and reduce long-term infrastructure damage.
Key Benefits of TDA
Organizations and engineers use TDA instead of traditional mined materials because it is incredibly lightweight, drains faster, and lowers construction costs. Additionally, TDA is environmentally safe and actively helps filter out contaminants like heavy metals and oils from roadway runoff.
- ✓Incredibly lightweight — weighs about one-third as much as gravel, dramatically reducing load on underlying soils
- ✓Drains faster than conventional aggregate — highly permeable with excellent hydraulic conductivity
- ✓Lowers construction costs — lighter material means less structural reinforcement and foundation work
- ✓Environmentally safe — approved for civil engineering use by ASTM D6270 and state environmental agencies
- ✓Filters contaminants — TDA actively helps filter out heavy metals and oils from roadway runoff
- ✓Reduces noise and vibration — excellent shock absorption for rail, highway, and industrial applications
- ✓Insulates against frost — limits frost penetration in cold climates, reducing freeze-thaw damage
- ✓Diverts waste tires from landfills — supports SC DHEC and GA EPD compliance goals
- ✓Cost-competitive with conventional aggregate in many applications
- ✓Available in bulk — consistent supply from our SC and GA processing facilities
- ✓Full documentation and compliance records provided with every load
- ✓ASTM D6270 compliant material
- ✓Flexible sizing — shreds or chips available depending on application
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Type A and Type B TDA?
Type A TDA consists of larger shreds (75–300mm) typically used in retaining wall backfill, large road embankments, slope stabilization, frost insulation, and vibration dampening. Type B TDA consists of smaller chips (12–75mm) used in drainage blankets, French drains, landfill leachate collection systems, gas collection layers, and stormwater management. We can supply either type depending on your project specification.
Can TDA be used in septic system drain fields?
Yes. TDA is used as a lightweight, free-draining aggregate replacement for crushed stone in septic system drain fields and leach field trenches. Its high hydraulic conductivity allows effluent to percolate efficiently through the absorption field. TDA is significantly lighter than gravel, reducing soil compaction and making installation easier. Homebuilders, septic installers, and rural property owners in SC and GA have used TDA as a cost-competitive alternative to conventional drain field aggregate. Check with your local health department or septic engineer for approval in your jurisdiction.
What is the difference between TDA shreds and TDA chips?
TDA shreds are larger pieces (75–300mm) typically used in retaining wall backfill and large fill applications. TDA chips are smaller (12–75mm) and are used in drainage layers, leachate collection, and applications requiring tighter gradation. We can supply either depending on your project spec.
Does TDA meet ASTM standards?
Yes. Our TDA is produced to meet ASTM D6270 — the Standard Practice for Use of Scrap Tires in Civil Engineering Applications. We can provide documentation and material specs with each load.
Is TDA approved for use in South Carolina and Georgia?
Yes. TDA is an accepted civil engineering material in both SC and GA. Projects using TDA should follow applicable state DOT specifications and ASTM D6270 guidelines. Contact us for state-specific documentation.
How does TDA compare to conventional aggregate in terms of weight?
TDA weighs approximately one-third as much as gravel — roughly 25–35 lbs/ft³ compared to 100–130 lbs/ft³ for soil or gravel. This dramatic weight reduction is the primary reason engineers specify TDA for retaining wall backfill, bridge abutments, and embankments over weak soils.
Can TDA filter contaminants from stormwater runoff?
Yes. Research has shown that TDA can help filter heavy metals and oils from roadway runoff, making it a dual-purpose material in stormwater management applications — providing both drainage and passive filtration.
What are the minimum order quantities?
We supply TDA in bulk truckload quantities (typically 20–25 tons per load). For large projects requiring multiple loads, we can arrange scheduled delivery. Contact us for project-specific pricing.
Can TDA be used as landfill daily cover?
Some states permit TDA as alternative daily cover (ADC). Approval is site-specific and requires state environmental agency approval. Contact us and we can assist with documentation for your facility.
How is TDA priced?
TDA pricing depends on quantity, chip size (Type A or Type B), and delivery distance. Contact us for a project quote — we offer competitive pricing for contractors, engineers, and municipalities.
Request a TDA Quote
We supply TDA to civil engineers, contractors, municipalities, and landfill operators across South Carolina, Georgia, and surrounding states.
Contact us for pricing, specifications, and delivery options for your project.