An Experimental Investigation of Plastic Fiber Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a mixture that can be easily placed into formwork without the need for vibrating compaction, owing to its self-weight and high flowability. Unlike traditional concrete, SCC ensures that coarse aggregates remain uniformly distributed, eliminating the requirement for external or internal vibration during the compaction process while maintaining its engineering properties. Key properties of the new SCC include filling capacity, passing capacity, and strength, which are crucial considerations. Solidified mechanical properties of SCC with plastic fiber reinforcement are comparable to conventionally vibrated concrete. However, the disposal of waste plastics presents environmental challenges. Plastic is a non-biodegradable material, persisting in water and soil without degradation, leading to water and soil contamination. Incinerating plastic releases harmful gases, contributing to air pollution and posing health risks when inhaled. As a result, several countries have banned the use of plastics to address this pressing environmental issue. To tackle this problem, this research focuses on producing reinforced self-compacting concrete with waste plastic fibers (WPFRSCC) as a sustainable construction material. This approach offers a dual advantage, enhancing the properties of SCC while simultaneously addressing the disposal of waste plastics. In the study, a mix proportion for M40 concrete is determined using the IS: 10262:2009 method. Experiments are conducted to examine the flow characteristics of SCC with varying percentages of waste plastic fibers (0%, 0.50%, 1.00%, and 1.50%), along with different proportions of superplasticizer (1%, 0.90%, 0.80%, and 0.70%). After obtaining satisfactory mixes, cube, cylinder, and beam specimens are cast using different percentages of waste plastic fibers. Subsequent strength tests are performed on these specimens to evaluate the hardened properties of SCC with waste plastic reinforcement. The results demonstrate that waste plastic fiber reinforced SCC can be successfully developed without the need for consistency-modifying agents. Four distinct mixtures are formulated to meet the specific requirements of fresh SCC, considering different fiber percentages. From a strength perspective, it is found that an optimal combination is achieved with 1.0% of fiber content and 0.70% of superplasticizer.