Utilization of Recycled Plastic Waste in Fiber Reinforced Concrete for Eco-Friendly Footpath and Pavement Applications

Cherdsak Suksiripattanapong, Taweerat Phetprapai, Witawat Singsang, Chayakrit Phetchuay, Jaksada Thumrongvut and Wisitsak Tabyang
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Cherdsak Suksiripattanapong: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Taweerat Phetprapai: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Witawat Singsang: Department of Aircraft Part Manufacturing Technology, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University, Chanthaburi 22000, Thailand
Chayakrit Phetchuay: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Jaksada Thumrongvut: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Wisitsak Tabyang: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Songkhla 90000, Thailand

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: The use of concrete in road construction has grown over the past decade due to the material’s great durability. However, concrete has poor tensile strength, ductility, and energy absorption. This paper aims to investigate the utilization of plastic waste, namely polypropylene (PP), to create a novel fiber to enhance the engineering properties of fiber reinforced concrete (FRC), an eco-friendly concrete that can reduce environmental problems. The 28-day design strengths of 28 and 32 MPa were used in this study because the compressive strength requirements for concrete footpaths and pavement specified by Austroads and the Department of Highways, Thailand, were at least 25 and 32 MPa, respectively. The fiber (F) was a mixture of virgin PP and recycled PP (RPP). The study used F contents of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1% by weight of cement and PP:RPP ratios of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100. The compressive strength, flexural strength, leaching, and CO 2 emissions savings of FRC were evaluated. Improvements in the compressive strength, flexural strength, and toughness of the samples with F were observed in comparison to the control concrete samples for all design strengths. All mixtures met the compressive strength requirements for concrete footpaths, except for F contents of 0.75 and 1% and a PP:RPP ratio of 0:100. By contrast, the 32 MPa FRC samples with F contents of 0.25 and 0.5% and all PP:RPP ratios met the requirements for rigid pavement. From an environmental perspective, the heavy metal contaminants of the 32 MPa FRC sample were within the allowable limits for all mixtures. Regarding incineration disposal, the maximum CO 2 emissions savings of 28 MPa and 32 MPa FRC with an F content of 0.5% and a PP:RPP ratio of 0:100 were 1.0 and 1.11 kg CO 2 -e/m 3 , respectively. This research will enable plastic waste, traditionally destined for incineration and landfill disposal, to be used as a sustainable fiber in the construction industry.

Keywords: plastic waste; recycled polypropylene fiber; heavy metals; CO 2 emissions savings (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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