Structural properties of concrete incorporating thermosetting polymer plastic wastes

Abstract

Thermoplastic wastes, especially XPE has been the scope of study of a limited number of researches. Given their infusible and unrecyclable nature , adding that sustainability has become the new target in the building industry, thermosetting plastic wastes could play a major role as disposal substitute in construction applications. The goal behind this project is to emphasize the influence of XPE fiber inclusion on the concrete- steel bond strength and shear resistance capacity of reinforced concrete beams without stirrups. In order to investigate the effect of XPE on the fresh , hardened and structural performance properties of modified concrete, 2 to 12 mm sized XPE shreds were included in the batch of mixtures by rates of 1.5 to 3 % of the concrete volume. The measured responses demonstrated that the addition of such fiber has formed a plateau in the ascending region of the bond stress-slip , thus lower ultimate bond strength and weaker bonding behavior to embedded steel bars. The ultimate shear strength and Post diagonal cracking behavior were also negatively impacted by XPE incorporation. The addition of 0.5% and 1% of steel fiber has thoroughly improved the concrete bearing capacity, aggregate shear interlock and cracking resistance.