Producing a sustainable type of concrete enhanced by industrial polystyrene

Abstract

This research includes studying the possibility of producing a new type of no fine concrete by replacing granules of coarse aggregates with grains resulted from the fragmentation of industrial waste of polystyrene. This replacing is with different volumetric proportions of coarse aggregate, and theses volumetric ratios were equal to (5%, 10%, 15% and 25%). Waste plastic fibers (WPFs) resulting from cutting of soft drinks bottles were added for strengthening this new kind of concrete. Mixing ratio was equal to (1:5) (cement: coarse aggregate) by weight. One reference mix was produced for comparative purpose. Compressive strength, flexural strength and density tests were conducted.Compressive strength values of the new sustainable concrete were ranged from 10 MPa to 12.4 MPa at age of test equal to 28 days, while the lowest value of the density of this concrete at the same age reaches 1937 kg/m3, and highest value of modulus of rupture was equal to 2.36 MPa at 28-day age test.