Effect of elevated temperatures on properties of sustainable concrete composites incorporating waste metalized plastic fibres

Abstract

The utilisation of industrial waste in the production of sustainable construction materials has attracted much attention recently due to the saving of vital places for landfills, low-cost of waste materials and also an improvement in the concrete properties. Exposing concrete structures to elevated temperatures causes progressive failure of the macro- and micro-structures of cement paste and, therefore, severe deterioration and damages in the load-bearing capacity. This study explored the effect of waste metalized plastic (WMP) fibres and palm oil fuel ash (POFA) on the performance of concrete exposed to high temperatures of 200, 400, 600 and 800 °C. Four concrete mixes comprising 0 and 0.5% WMP fibres, and 0 and 20% POFA content were cast. Properties studied include mass loss, compressive strength, and ultrasonic pulse velocity. The results showed that the adding of WMP fibre to the concrete mixes significantly improves the concrete performance at elevated temperatures with the lower rate of strength loss along with eliminating the explosive spalling behaviour as compared to those of plain concrete mixes. Furthermore, in comparing the results of compressive strength losses at a high temperature of 800 °C, strength losses were lower for specimens containing 0.5% WMP fibres than those of plain specimens. Moreover, green concrete decreases waste materials, the diminution of harmful impacts on the environment, and leads to sustainable and green cement and concrete industries.