Experimental Investigation on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Concrete Using Waste Materials as an Aggregate Substitution

Abstract

The continuous growth of the concrete industry requires an increased quantity of cement and natural aggregates year after year, and it is responsible for a major part of the global CO2 emissions. These aspects led to rigorous research for suitable raw materials. Taking into account that these raw materials must have a sustainable character and also a low impact on environmental pollution, the replacement of the conventional components of concrete by residual waste can lead to these targets. This paper’s aim is to analyze the density, compressive strength and the thermal conductivity of nine concrete compositions with various rates of waste: four mixes with 10%, 20%, 40% and 60% chopped PET bottles aggregates and 10% fly ash as cement partial substitution; a mix with 60% waste polystyrene of 4–8 mm and 10% fly ash; a mix with 20% waste polystyrene of 4–8 mm, 10% waste polystyrene of 0–4 mm and 10% fly ash; a mix with 50% waste polystyrene of 4–8 mm, 20% waste polystyrene of 0–4 mm and 20% fly ash two mixes with 10% fly ash and 10% and 40% waste sawdust, respectively. Using 60% PET aggregates, 60% polystyrene granules of 4–8 mm, or 20% polystyrene of 0–4 mm together with 50% polystyrene of 4–8 mm led to the obtainment of lightweight concrete, with a density lower than 2000 kg/m3. These mixes also registered the best results from a thermal conductivity point of view, after the concrete mix with 40% saw dust. Regarding compressive strength, the mix with 10% PET obtained a result very close to the reference mix, while those with 20% PET, 40% PET, 30% polystyrene, and 10% saw dust, respectively, registered values between 22 MPa and 25 MPa, values appropriate for structural uses.