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USE OF WASTE PLASTICS IN CEMENT CONCRETE

PAVEMENT
By
B.V. KIRAN KUMAR* and P.PRAKASH**
*Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Kumaraswamy Layout,
Bangalore-560078, Karnataka, India. E-mail: kiran_kumarbv@yahoo.com
** Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Kumaraswamy
Layout, Bangalore-560078, Karnataka, India. E-mail: prakash.dsce@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Due to rapid industrialization and urbanization in the country lot of infrastructure
developments are taking place. This process has in turn led questions to mankind to solve the
problems generated by this growth. The problems defined are acute shortage of constructional
materials, increased productivity of wastes and other products. Usually M20 concrete is used for
most of the constructional works, hence in this project M20 concrete is taken and waste plastics is
used as modifier. Modifier was added in percentage such as 2%, 4%, 6%... in order to replace the
same amount of cement and sand. Tests were conducted on coarse aggregates, fine aggregates,
cement and modifiers (waste plastics) to determine their physical properties.
Cubes were casted and tested for 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days strength. These tests
revealed that the optimum modifier content was found to be 5% by weight of cement and sand.
The studies revealed that the optimum modifier content was 5% and the strength was
found to be two times greater than the plain cement concrete. The concrete works using modifier
can be used for construction of Rigid Pavements which leads to decrease in the overall thickness
of the pavement.
Keywords: Waste Plastics, M
20
Plain Cement Concrete
1.0 INTRODUCTION
As the world population grows, so do the amount and type of wastes being generated.
Many wastes produced today will remain in the environment for hundreds and perhaps thousands
of years. The creation of non-decaying waste materials, combined with a growing consumer
population, has resulted in a waste disposal crisis. One solution to this crisis lies in recycling
wastes into useful products.
Research into new and innovative use of waste materials being undertaken world-wide
and innovative ideas that are expressed are worthy of this important subject. Many highway
agencies, private organizations and individuals have completed or are in the process of completing
a wide variety of studies and research projects concerning the feasibility, environmental suitability
and performance of using waste plastics in highway construction. These studies try to match
societal need for safe and economic disposal of waste materials with the help of environmental
friendly highway industries, which needs better and cost-effective construction materials.
Failure due to fatigue cracking of flexible pavements decreases the load spreading
characteristics of bituminous layers. They allow the rain water to percolate to the base, sub-base
and the sub-grade, as a result, complete destruction of pavements takes place, if timely
maintenance is not taken up. With the increase in vehicular volume, there is an increase in the
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cost of construction and the maintenance of the pavements. So, the highway engineers,
designers and paving contractors have been looking for the new concept of using waste plastics
in cement concrete pavements. These pavements are less susceptible to rutting, minimum
fatigue or thermal cracking, low stripping due to moisture. It offers greater durability, little or no
impact on processing and also produces environmental friendly roads that last longer and costs
less.
1.1 General
Definition of plastics: A material that contains one or more organic polymers of large molecular
weight, solid in its finished state and at some state while manufacturing or processing into
finished articles, can be shaped by its flow, is termed as Plastics.
Types of plastics:
Thermosets.
Elastomers.
Thermoplastics.
Resins:
Resins are solid or semi-solid materials, light yellow to dark brown in colour, composed of
Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen. Resins occur, naturally in plants and are common in pines and
firs, often appearing as globules on the bark. Synthetic resins such as Polystyrene, Polyesters and
Acrylics are derived primarily from petroleum. Resins are widely used in the manufacture of
lacquers, varnishes, plastics, adhesives and rubber.
Various Resins of Plastics:
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE)
Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Vinyl (Poly Vinyl Chloride or PVC)
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Polypropylene (PP)
Polystyrene (PS)
Sources of Generation of Waste Plastics
Household: Carry bags, bottles, containers and trash bags.
Health and Medicare: Disposable syringes, glucose bottles, blood, Intravenous tubes, catheters
and surgical gloves.
Hotel and Catering: Packaging items, Mineral water bottles, Plastic plates, Glass etc.
1.2 Why Use Plastics?
Polymers have a number of vital properties, which exploited alone or together, make a significant
and expanding contribution to constructional needs.
Durable and corrosion resistant.
Good Insulation for cold, heat and sound saving energy and reducing noise pollution.
It is economical and has a longer life.
Maintenance free (such as painting is minimized)
Hygienic and clean
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Ease of processing / installation
Light weight
1.3 Source of Employment in the Management of Waste
Plastics:
Plastic recycling is taking place on a significant scale in India. As much as 60% of both
industrial and urban plastic waste is recycled. People in India have released plastic wastes have
immense economic value, as a result of this, recycling of waste plastics plays a major role in
providing employment, resulting in economic development of the country. Indian construction
industry creates lot of employment opportunities and accounts for major portion of the capital
outlay in successive 5-year plans of our country. The projected investment in this industrial
sector continues to show a growing trend.
Plastic waste is bulky, heavy and unsuitable for disposal by incineration or composting
which result in polluting the environment, posing number of problems for the well being of human
race and resulting in hazardous diseases.
Apart from mounting problems of waste management, other reasons which support
adoption, reuse or recycling strategy are:
1. Reduced extraction of raw materials.
2. Reduced transportation cost.
3. Reduced environmental impact and improved profits.
Above all, the fast depleting reserves of conventional natural aggregate has necessitated the use
of recycling or re-use technology, in order to be able to conserve the conventional natural
aggregate for other important works.
1.4 Advantages of Using Waste Plastics as A Modifier
It easily binds to coarse aggregates at medium temperature.
It doesn't require any change in road laying practice.
The material is available locally in the form of shredded plastic, which is presently treated
as a waste.
The process makes use of used plastic bags in shredded form. The disposal of used
plastics, which is an environmental problem, is thereby eliminated.
1.5 Objectives of Study
2. To find properties of Coarse, Fine Aggregates and Cement.
3. To find out physical properties of Waste Plastics (Modifier)
4. To conduct mix design as per IS: SP 23-1982
(1)
.
5. To find out Optimum Modifier Content (OMC).
6. To cast both plain and modified cement concrete beams and subject it to fatigue loading.
7. To study the effect of temperature on both plain and modified cement concrete beams
subjected to fatigue loading.
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Type of aggregate Coarse Fine
Specific gravity 2.60 2.70
Water absorption 0.50 % 1.0 %
Free (surface) moisture
Nil (absorbed
moisture also nil)
2.0 %
Aggregate Impact Value 18.57 % -----
Aggregate Crushing Value 17.88 % -----
LosAngeles Abrasion Value 23.60 % -----
Specific gravity 3.15
Initial setting time 35 minutes
Final setting time 16 hours
Soundness by (Autoclave method) 0.6
2.0 LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS
2.1 Aggregates (Coarse and Fine Aggregates)
Selection of aggregates for normal concrete is very important because, various properties
of aggregates can influence the performance of concrete. Various considerations have to be kept
in mind while selecting the materials. Aggregates used in present study, were tested for their
specific gravity and other properties and results have been tabulated in table 1. The gradation
adopted for the mix was as per IS SP: 23-1982(1) Handbook on Concrete Mixes.
Table 1: Physical Properties of Aggregate (2)
2.2 Cement
Ordinary Portland Cement of 43-grade was used as it satisfied the requirements of IS: 269-
1969 and results have been tabulated in table 2.
Table 2: Physical Properties of Cement
2.3 Mixing and Curing Water
IS: 456-2000 (Cl. 2.20) covers requirements for water used for mixing and curing of
concrete. Permissible limits for solids in water as per IS: 456-2000 is given in table 2.3. The
maximum permissible limit of chloride content in water for RCC work has been reduced from 1000
mg/lit in IS: 456-1978 to 500 mg/lit in IS: 456-2000. In addition to the requirements given in table
2.3, there are requirements given for acidity and alkalinity for water in terms of neutralization test
has to be considered.
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Type
High Density Polyethylene
(HDPE)
Specific Gravity 1.04
Density (g/cc) 0.945 0.962
Melting Point (0C) 75 100
Softening Point (0C) 110
Elongation at Break (%) >500
Fineness <2.36 mm
2.4Plastics
Plastic that cannot be degraded further is been powdered into fine particles. These
plastics consist mainly of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). Some of the basic properties of
these plastic are tabulated in table 3.
Table 3: Physical Properties of Plastics
2.5Preparation of Concrete Cubes
Coarse aggregates are heated to a temperature of 750C to 850C. The waste plastics
obtained in powdered form, are added throughout the heated aggregates and thoroughly mixed. It
is then allowed to cool for about two to three hours, this is mixed with cement, fine aggregates and
water to prepare concrete mix, as per IS SP: 23-1982(1).
Now, concrete cubes are casted, which are of standard dimension of 15 x 15 x 15cms.
The specimens are kept for curing and tested for its compressive strength on different days (1, 3, 7,
14 & 28).
Here, the modifier (waste plastics) is added in known percentages such as, 2, 4, 6, 7 and
8 by weight of cement. By conducting compressive strength tests on cubes casted with varying
percentages of modifier, Optimum Modifier Content was found to be 5%. Further beyond 5 % the
specimens did not show any appreciable gain in strength. The entire process of mix design is
shown from figure 5 to 12.
2.6 Repeated Load Test
2.6.1 Details of Repeated Load Testing Equipment
An attempt was made to study the performance of concrete beams which were casted with
and without modifier, under repeated loading test setup. These studies were conducted at various
temperatures between 250C to 600C. A picture of dynamic setup for repeated load testing is
shown in the figure 13.
2.6.2 Laboratory Investigations on Repeated Load Testing
Concrete beam specimens of size 100X100X400mm were casted using plastic modifier at
Optimum Modifier Content of 5% (by weight of cement). Similarly beams of plain cement concrete
were also casted. Then specimens were subjected to repeated loading tests at the rate of 60
cycles/min, at various temperatures from 25oC to 60oC. The stress level of half the compressive
strength test value of 5% modified test specimens was applied on plain and modified concrete
beams.
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3.0 ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS
In the present investigation it is found that optimum plastic modifier content was 5% by
weight of cement. From the test results it was observed that the compressive strength value of the
concrete mix increased with the addition of modifiers. Comparison of the compressive strength
values of plain cement concrete and modified cement concrete are shown in the figure 1 and 2. It
is observed that the fatigue life of the plastic modified concrete has increased by a factor of 6.5,
3.0 and 2.75 at 250C, 500C and 600C respectively. The graph of fatigue test results on plain and
plastic modified concrete beams are shown in figure 3 and 4.
Special aspects:
Whole process is very simple.
It needs no new machinery.
The waste plastics available in the surrounding area can be used effectively.
3.1 CONCLUSIONS
Looking into the above aspects we come to the conclusions that the waste plastics can be
used as a modifier in the cement concrete mix. This modified cement concrete mix is applicable in
the construction of rigid pavements in order to reduce the thickness of the pavement and increase
the durability of the pavement.
From experimental analysis, we came to conclusion that the compressive strengths of
modified cement concrete increases by 20% more than that of plain cement concrete.
The optimum modifier content is found to be 5%.
It is observed that by using 5% of modifier (waste plastics) the fatigue characteris
of modified concrete at temperature 25
0
C, 50
0
C and 60
0
C has increased fatigue stren
by 6.5, 3.0 and 2.75 times that of plain cement concrete.
By using waste plastics as modifier the quantity of cement used can be reduced by 5%
and thereby reducing the cost of construction.
It also helps to avoid the general disposal technique of waste plastics namely land
filling and incineration which have certain burden on ecology.
The modified cement concrete mix can be used in construction of rigid pavements
reduce the thickness of pavement has it can carry more load than plain cement concret
can also be used in construction of small drainage works and concrete tiles of footpath
walkers.
When used for rigid pavement construction it can withstand fatigue at hig
temperatures hence it can be adopted in tropical regions and also reduction in thicknes
pavement can be achieved which is provided to cater the warping stress.
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4.0 References
(1) IS SP: 23-1982, Handbook on Concrete Mixes. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
(2) IS: 456-2000. Plain and Reinforced Concrete Code of Practice. Bureau of Indian Standards,
New Delhi.
(3) S.P. Shah. Concrete composites, fiber reinforced. In S. M. Lee (Ed.), Handbook of Composite
Reinforcements. VCH Publishers, Inc., New York, New York, 1993, pp. 155 -170.
(4) D.J. Cook. Concrete and Cement Composites Reinforced with Natural Fibers. In D.J. Hannant
(Ed.), Proceedings of the Symposium of Fibrous Concrete. The Construction Press, New York,
1980, pp. 99 -114.
(5) K. Rebeiz. Recycling Plastics in the Construction Industry. Waste Age, Vol. 23, Feb. 1992, pp.
35 -37.
(6) Prakash Parasivamurthy.Study of Waste Plastics as Composite Materials in Cement
Concrte Construction. Proceedings of Thermec 2006.
(7) IS: 383-1970, Specification for Coarse and Fine Aggregates from Natural Sources for
Concrete. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
(8) Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Specification of Road and Bridge
Works (Fourth Revision), Published by IRC, New Delhi, PP-24, 2001.
(9) Laxmi.S. and Huria.S.C. (1998). A Decennial Appraisal of Quality Trends in Indian
Cements, Proceedings: vol. 4. Sixth NCB, New Delhi.
(10) P.K. Mehta. Concrete Structure Properties and Materials. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood
Cliffs, New Jersey, 1986.
Acknowledgement:
Authors wish to acknowledge the help render by M/s K.K. Waste Plastics Management Pvt.
Limited, Bangalore by providing the modifier. Authors also wish to acknowledge the continuous
help and encouragement provided during project by Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, K.
S. layout, Bangalore-560 078.
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Figure1: Graph Showing Compressive Strength of Concrete
Figure 2: Graph Showing Compressive Strength of Concrete for Various Percentages of
Modifiers
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Figure 3: Graph Showing Number of Repetitions of Plain and Plastic Beams
Figure 4: Graph Showing Number of Repetitions of Plain and Plastic Beams at
Various Temperatures
Plain
Plastic
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Figure 5: Picture Showing Aggregates Being Mixed with Modifier
Figure 6: Picture Showing Modified and Virgin Aggregates
Figure 7: Picture Showing Modified Aggregates Being Mixed with Cement and Sand
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Figure 8: Picture Showing Empty Moulds to Cast the Cube
Figure 9: Picture Showing Concrete being Consolidated on Vibratory Table
Figure 10: Picture Showing Cubes being marked after Casting
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Figure 11: Picture Showing Cubes being cured after Casting
Figure 12: Picture Showing Cubes being tested for its Compressive Strength
Figure 13: Picture Showing Repeated Load Testing Apparatus