The Effect of Cement Replacement with Plastic Bag Wastes (PE) and Polymer Fiber on the Concrete Performance

Abstract

Plastic bag wastes (PE) are used to improve the workability of concrete and expected to reduce the plastic wastes in our environment. Polymer products such as synthetic fibers, plastics and rubbers are belonged to petrochemical compound and considered as non-biodegradable materials.  One way of reducing the plastic wastes is by utilizing the plastic wastes in the production of concrete. This study investigates the dry density properties of concrete that utilize plastic wastes and polymer fiber to replace the cement, followed by finding the compressive, tensile and flexural strength of the concrete and finally, to compare the performance of concrete that utilize plastic wastes and polymer fiber vs. concrete with plastic wastes only. An extensive experimental study has been performed by utilizing the plastic wastes in concrete using a percentage of 10%, 20% and 30% and polymer fiber with percentage of 2%, 4% and 6% respectively. Results have showed the tendency of lower density in the polymer modified concrete. The utilization of waste polymer in the replacement of cement reduces compressive and flexural strength of concrete. This is probably due to bridging action provided by the fibers which absorbed more energy and prevent the sudden failure of the concrete.  On the other hand, lower mechanical properties of the modified concrete that used plastic wastes and polymer fibers has been recorded in the study. Keywords: Waste polymers, Polymer Fibers, Concrete, Cement Replacement, Compressive Strength, Flexural strength, Dry density