Effect of Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate with Electronic Waste Plastic in Light Weight Concrete

Abstract

This study assessed the usefulness of the replacement of coarse aggregate partially with electronic waste (e-waste) plastic in lightweight concrete since developing countries have been challenged with management of e-waste as well as high cost of coarse aggregates for concrete production. Coarse aggregates were replaced with e-waste plastic in concrete at 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% for a concrete class of C20. The particle size distribution of the e-waste plastic aggregates was determined as well as the slump, compressive strength, water absorption and bulk density of the concrete. Generally, the slump decreased as the e-waste increased. The compressive strengths decreased for the 5% and 10% replacement of coarse aggregates with e-waste but increased for the 15% and 20% replacement of coarse aggregate with e-waste. 0% water absorption was obtained for the 15% and 20% e-waste content while the 10% e-waste concrete obtained 0.01% and the 5% e-waste obtaining of 0.013% after 28days of curing. The densities of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% e-waste plastic content decreased as compared to the 0% e-waste plastic content. The values of compressive strength obtained showed that coarse aggregate replacements by e-waste plastic at 15% and 20% may be appropriate for lightweight concrete of class C20/25 since compressive strengths ranged between 16.09 Nmm–2 and 22.87 Nmm–2. This implies that partial replacement of coarse aggregate with e-waste plastic may be useful for lightweight concrete as well as helping in eradicating the environment of the menace of e-waste plastic.