Strength characteristics of concrete using electronic plastic waste and coconut shell as natural aggregates

Abstract

In this experimental study, the effect of using electronic plastic waste (e-plastic waste) and Coconut Shell (CS) on the mechanical properties and strength characteristics were investigated. The waste admixtures were used as a replacement of Fine Aggregate (FA) and Coarse Aggregate (CA) and the test results were compared with conventional M35 grade concrete. Three different combinations were made, initially by replacing aggregates with e-plastic waste, secondly, by replacing aggregates with CS, and finally, by replacing aggregates with e-plastic waste and CS combinedly. In all the variations 10%, 20%, and 30% of aggregates were replaced by their volume. e-plastics and CS used in this concrete were shredded and gridded to achieve sizes similar to natural aggregate. The main objective of this comparative investigation is to evaluate a suitable dosage of e-plastic waste and CS in the concrete without affecting its durability and strength characteristics. The density, compressive strength, split tensile strength, modulus of flexure, stress–strain behavior, bond strength, and Ultrasonic Pulse velocity of the mixtures were determined. The test results reported a decrease in density and compressive strength with the addition of both the waste materials in all the variations compared to conventional concrete. On the other hand, the concrete with 15% e-plastic waste and 15% CS showed a similar failure pattern to conventional concrete. The concrete with CS has more toughness with lesser densities but showed brittle failure in the flexure test. Relatively the concrete with e-plastic waste showed a ductile failure pattern with lesser resistance to compression and bonding.