PERFORMANCE OF CONCRETE CONTAINING WASTE PLASTIC STRAW FIBERS

Authors

Jamal Khatib, Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, LebanonFollow
Ali Jahami, PhD, Faculty of Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, LebanonFollow
Oussama Baalbaki, Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, LebanonFollow
Adel Elkordi, Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, LebanonFollow
Abed Bakri, Graduate Student, Faculty of Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, LebanonFollow
Roba Alaina, Graduate Student, Faculty of Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, LebanonFollow

Keywords

Fibers, Strength, Sustainability, Plastic straw, Waste

Disciplines

Architecture | Business | Engineering | Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Abstract

Using fibers in concrete applications has become a common practice. This is partly due to improvement in ductility and crack control of concrete. There will be an added advantage if these fibers come from a waste source as it would lead to reduction in environmental pollution and the need for landfill spaces. This paper forms the initial part of a wide range investigation on the use of waste plastic fibers in concrete applications. This study attempts to apply the concept of sustainability and reduces the environmental pollution by producing fibers from waste plastic straws and adding them to plain concrete to improve the tensile strength and ductility. The experimental work was carried to examine the effect of including waste plastic fibers on the properties of concrete. The fiber percentages used were 0%, 0.5%, 1.5% and 3%. Testing included workability, density, compressive and tensile strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity and length change. Generally, the addition of waste plastic fibers increased the tensile strength, whereas there was a slight reduction in compressive strength when more plastic fibers were added. The ultrasonic pulse velocity and density show a slight decrease in the presence of fibers.

Recommended Citation

Khatib, Jamal; Jahami, Ali; Baalbaki, Oussama; Elkordi, Adel; Bakri, Abed; and Alaina, Roba (2020) "PERFORMANCE OF CONCRETE CONTAINING WASTE PLASTIC STRAW FIBERS," BAU Journal - Science and Technology: Vol. 1: Iss. 2, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54729/2959-331X.1019

ISSN

2959-331X