Mechanical properties of concrete reinforced with recycled HDPE plastic fibres

Abstract

This work investigates potential engineering benefits of the pioneering application of simply extruded recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic fibres in structural concrete. Mechanical and serviceability properties of concrete are studied through the testing of seven series of specimens: one made of the plain concrete and, for each of the two fibre diameters Ø 1 = 0.25 mm and Ø 2 = 0.40 mm, three series with 0.40%, 0.75% and 1.25% volume fraction of fibres. While the compressive strength and the elastic modulus of concrete were unaffected, the tensile strength and flexural (rupture) modulus were marginally increased, between 3% and 14% in the presence of HDPE fibres. Fibres mainly contributed by providing the post-cracking flexural ductility and through improving serviceability properties of concrete such as the reduced plastic shrinkage cracking, drying shrinkage and water permeability. The durability of HDPE fibres was assessed by means of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging that showed no signs of their chemical deterioration in concrete. All findings suggest that recycled HDPE fibres can be instrumental in creating a new value chain in construction industry while also positively contributing to its environmental performance.

Benefits of Incorporating Induction Furnace Slag in Concrete as Replacement of Cement: A Case Study of Pakistan

“…To understand the cost savings, it is essential to calculate the material quantities based on the mix ratio (1:1. And percentage reduction of CO 2 emission per 1m 3 of concrete mix will be, 5% slag replacement = 0.0177x100 =1.77%…”

“…Recently, attempts have been made to utilise refuse materials such as fly ash [1], silica fume [2] and recycled plastic fibre [3] etc. in concrete.…”

Porównanie Wybranych Właściwości Zapraw Żywicznych Zawierających Odpadowe Tworzywa Sztuczne

“…Niska waga, wytrzymałość, odporność na działanie różnych roztworów korozyjnych, doskonałe właściwości termo-i elektroizolacyjne -to cechy odpadowych tworzyw sztucznych, które mogą być wykorzystane do otrzymywania innowacyjnych materiałów kompozytowych, wpisują-cych się w założenia zrównoważonego rozwoju w budownictwie. Na podstawie przeglądu dostępnej literatury można stworzyć listę odpadowych tworzyw sztucznych, które zastosowano jako modyfikatory betonów i zapraw: tworzywo ABS (kopolimer akrylonitryl-butadien-styren) [4], pianka poliuretanowa [5][6][7], ekspandowany polistyren i polistyren [8][9][10], polietylen o małej i dużej gęstości oraz polipropylen i poli(chlorek winylu) [11][12][13][14], żywice melaminowo-formaldehydowe [15], poli(tereftalan etylenu) [16][17][18][19][20]. Modyfikacją tą objęto przede wszystkim kompozyty cementowe.…”

Recycled Nylon Fiber from Waste Fishing Nets as Reinforcement in Polymer Cement Mortar for the Repair of Corroded RC Beams

“…The usage of nylon fibers in cementitious materials was found to lead to superior performance compared to the usage of PP fibers in terms of compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, modulus of rupture, impact resistance and shrinkage cracks resistance [ 27 ]. Recycled PET, PP and HDPE fibers have also been applied to cementitious mortar and found to effectively improve mechanical properties such as toughness, impact load, energy absorption [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”