Properties of Concrete at Elevated Temperature Using Waste HDPE as Fibre and Copper Slag as Mineral Admixture

Abstract

Clean and green environment can be achieved by utilising waste materials into the cement concrete. In this investigation, waste materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) waste plastic and copper slag were utilised in cement concrete. This investigation reveals potential engineering efficiency of the copper slag and HDPE plastic fibres in cement concrete. In this work the specimens are made with 60% cement replaced with copper slag and with the addition of 85mm long 0.4mm diameter HDPE fibre at 0%, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% fibre reinforced cement concrete. The specimens were applied elevated temperatures at 200oC, 400oC, 600oC and 900oC. The compressive strength of HDPE reinforced cement concrete is increased with the addition of fibre, the tensile strength and flexural (rupture) moduli were also increased. Fibres excellently improved the flexural ductility after cracking and also improve serviceability properties. Durability tests like water absorption and sorptivity were conducted with and without elevated temperatures and concluded that the HDPE fibre reinforced concrete reduces water absorption, hence water retaining structures can be built using HDPE fibre concrete. All results show that HDPE fibres are positively active in cement concrete and improving its durability properties.