Abstract
Currently, reuse of solid waste from disused infrastructures is an important environmental issue to study. In this research, polymer concrete was developed by mixing orthophthalic unsaturated polyester resin, artificial microfillers (calcium carbonate), and waste aggregates (basalt and limestone) coming from the recycling process of concrete sleepers. The variation of the mechanical and physical properties of the polymer concrete (compressive strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, density, and water absorption) was analyzed based on the modification of different variables: nature of the recycled aggregates, resin contents (11 wt%, 12 wt%, and 13 wt%), and particle-size distributions of microfillers used. The results show the influence of these variables on mechanical performance of polymer concrete. Compressive and flexural strength of recycled polymer concrete were improved by increasing amount of polyester resin and by optimizing the particle-size distribution of the microfillers. Besides, the results show the feasibility of developing a polymer concrete with excellent mechanical behavior.
Highlights
Polymer concrete (PC) is a composite material which is composed of polymeric resins that act as binder materials of aggregates and microfillers
After performing the tests for prepared PC specimens, experimental results were obtained for the flexural strength, compressive strength, modulus of elasticity (E), density (ρ), and water absorption (Abs)
Recycled limestone aggregates (RLA) or recycled basaltic aggregates (RBA) have been studied focusing on the benefits they gave to the mechanical properties of the final PC
Summary
Polymer concrete (PC) is a composite material which is composed of polymeric resins that act as binder materials of aggregates and microfillers. Portland cement can be used as microfiller or aggregate [3] in PC Besides these advantages, this composite, which can reach mechanical strengths 45 times higher than cement-based concrete [4] keeping the modulus of elasticity in similar values [5], has good chemical resistance and water impermeability [6, 7]. This composite, which can reach mechanical strengths 45 times higher than cement-based concrete [4] keeping the modulus of elasticity in similar values [5], has good chemical resistance and water impermeability [6, 7] For these reasons, PC is widely used in different applications of civil engineering [1, 8]. It has been used as a major component for the construction of box culverts, underground pipes, trench lines, industrial floors, as bridge deck overlays, and in reparation tasks of damaged cement-based concrete structures
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
