USE OF ECOLOGICAL LIGHTWEIGHT AGGREGATES IN REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

Abstract

The article discusses the possibility of utilising both wastes from CHP plants (Combined heat and power plants), i.e. fly ash, and PET plastic waste (polyethylene terephthalate), through processing into lightweight aggregate used construct reinforced concrete beam elements to protect the natural environment. Properties of the utilised lightweight artificial aggregates are presented. Selected results of experimental tests in load-bearing capacity and deformability of reinforced concrete beams made in the model scale are presented. An analysis of the test showed that, despite their lower resistance to crushing, artificial aggregate beam elements have the same load-bearing capacity as reinforced concrete beams made with recycled aggregate, with better flexural strength properties in some cases.