Effect of Partial Replacements of Sand by Polycarbonate Plastic Waste on the First Crack Impact Resistance of Concrete Beam

Abstract

Disposal of waste polycarbonate plastic is a serious environmental issue all around the globe, on account of its health hazard and difficulty in land filling. As a possible solution to the problem of polycarbonate plastic waste, an experimental study was conducted to examine the potential of using it as sand replacement in the concrete. This paper examines impact strength properties of concrete in which different amounts 2.5%, 5% and 10% of polycarbonate plastic waste particles were used as sand replacement. For each amount, six beams of 100 mm ×100 mm × 500mm were subjected to 4.5 kg hammer from 480mm height. The number of blows of the hammer required to induce the first visible crack of the beams were recorded. The results are presented in terms of impact energy required for the first visible crack. The concrete mixtures exhibited ability to absorb a large amount of impact energy. The polycarbonate plastic waste increased the first crack impact energy of concrete. Keywords: Polycarbonate plastic waste; Cement concrete; Compressive strength; First crack impact energy. DOI: 10.7176/CER/12-2-05 Publication date: February 29 th 2020