Some properties of green concrete with glass and plastic wastes

Abstract

This study focusses on the flexural strength, flexural toughness, thermal conductivity, and failure modes under flexural for concrete containing 15% glass powder waste as partial replacement of cement by weight and 25, 50, 75, 100% plastic waste as volumetric replacement of natural coarse aggregate at 60 days. The results show an increase in flexural strength and thermal conductivity when 15% glass powder waste was used, while there is a significant decrease with the use of plastic waste relative to reference specimens (without wastes). It can be observed a significant increase in total flexural energy when the content of plastic waste coarse aggregate is increased. The incorporation of plastic waste aggregate in concrete with 15% glass powder changes the failure behavior of concrete specimens from a brittle to a more ductile failure. The failure in reference concrete specimens without coarse plastic waste aggregate occurs in matrix, through coarse aggregate, and around the aggregates in interfacial transition zone (ITZ). On the other hand, in concrete containing HDPE (high density polyethylene) plastic waste aggregate with 15% glass powder, the failure occurs mainly around plastic particles.