Effect of incorporation of recycled polypropylene plastic on mechanical properties of concrete

The use of recyclable materials in construction has become a key factor for cost reduction, the improvement of some mechanical conditions in materials, and, at the same time, has represented a major contribution to the solution of environmental problems related to pollution generated by solid waste. Polypropylene plastic has undoubtedly been one of the most studied materials to be used as a substitute for the aggregates of concrete mixtures. The main objective of this study is to analyze in a general way the impact of the addition of this material on the compression and flexion resistance of manufactured concrete samples, and in turn, to be able to verify the feasibility of adding this residue and to be used in the construction of non-structural concrete elements. To verify the hypothesis raised, mixtures with partial PP substitution were formulated in coarse and fine aggregates in a range between 20% and 70%, and these samples were subjected to compressive and flexural strength tests to assess the behavior of concrete according to the degree of substitution of the aggregate. After finishing the study, it was found that the addition of PP significantly affects the compressive strength of concrete, reducing it up to 70% in some cases, which generates a great limitation for the use of this material as a substitute in concrete mixtures used to perform structural functions. However, the flexion strength of these specimens with PP replacement shows a rather favorable behavior where it is appreciated that the resistance remains at the same level as a normal concrete sample, which would favor the application of PP replacement in the construction of non-structural elements subjected to bending stress such as pedestrian trails, urban furniture and flooring.

• Autores: Verbel Almario, Camilo; Mora, Otto; Mattos-Rodríguez, Adriana; Figueroa Loaiza, Miguel; Borrero Restrepo, Diego; Suarez Maldonado, Randy; Fresneda Saldarriaga, Cesar Alejandro; Gaitán Millán, Slyder; Vargas Urueta, Selene; Naranjo, Tulio
• Tipo de recurso: Article of investigation
• Fecha de publicación: 2024
• Institución: Corporación Universidad de la Costa
• Repositorio: REDICUC - Repositorio CUC
• Idioma: eng
• OAI Identifier: oai:repositorio.cuc.edu.co:11323/13555
• Acceso en línea: https://hdl.handle.net/11323/13555; https://repositorio.cuc.edu.co/
• Palabra clave: Polypropylene; Aggregates; Concrete; Compressive strength; Flexural strength
• Rights: openAccess
• License: Atribución 4.0 Internacional (CC BY 4.0)