Experimental Study on the Effect of Natural Rubber Latex and Plastic Fiber in Concrete

Abstract

In the modern construction industry, there are a lot of materials introduced for enhancing the properties of concrete. Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) is polymer latex obtained from renewable and locally available resources, which can be employed for the effective modification of cement composites thereby encouraging a sustainable construction practice. The Natural Rubber Latex modification significantly improves the plain concrete from porous to an impermeable and denser microstructure by forming a lining of latex film across voids, pores, and micro-cracks. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a polyester polymer obtained from recyclable bottles. This project work investigates the combined effect of rubber latex and PET fibers in M40 grade concrete. Various tests are conducted on the laboratory cast concrete specimens and their behaviors are observed and documented for 7 days and 28 days testing. The solution offered in the project by using waste plastic is one of the answers to the long-standing menace of waste disposal.