Behavior of sustainable concrete with plastic waste as coarse aggregate: Experimental and numerical approach

Mustafa Maher Al-Tayeb , Majed A. A. Aldahdooh , Said Almaawali , Munir Nazzal , Bassam A. Tayeh , Nurdeen M. Altwair , Rami J. A. Hamad

Abstract

The increasing accumulation of plastic waste (PW) and its low recycling rates pose serious environmental challenges. This study investigates the replacement of coarse aggregate (CA) with polycarbonate PW at levels of 20%, 30%, and 40% in concrete prisms (100x50x400 mm), tested under drop-weight impact loading and validated with finite element method (FEM) simulations. PW incorporation reduced workability (slump from 165 mm to 35 mm) and bulk density (2215 to 1930 kg/m3), alongside compressive strength losses of 25-49% and modulus reductions of 15-34%. However, PW30% demonstrated the highest impact resistance, with a peak Tup load of 14,170 kN at 0.6 ms, bending load of 4152 kN, and inertial load of 5084 kN, confirming its superior energy absorption. Dynamic-to-static ratios also improved with PW, with fracture energy increasing from 3.05 to 10.1. FEM results confirmed these behaviors, particularly for PW30%. Overall, PW30% offers an optimal balance of ductility and toughness, suggesting its suitability for impact-resistant and lightweight applications.

Key Words

finite element modeling; fracture energy; impact loading behavior; plastic waste concrete; sustainable construction materials

Address

Mustafa Maher Al-Tayeb — Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hasan Kalyoncu University, Şahinbey, Gaziantep, Türkiye
Majed A. A. Aldahdooh — Department of Facilities and Construction Project Management, International College of Engineering and Management, affiliated with the University of Lancashire (UK), P.C. 111, Sultanate of Oman
Said Almaawali — Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
Munir Nazzal — Center for Smart, Sustainable & Resilient Infrastructure (CSSRI), Department of Civil & Architectural Engineering & Construction Management, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
Bassam A. Tayeh — 1) Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic University of Gaza, P.O. Box 108, Gaza Strip, Palestine, 2) Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
Nurdeen M. Altwair — Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Elmergib University, Khoms, Libya
Rami J. A. Hamad — Department of Facilities and Construction Project Management, International College of Engineering and Management, P.C. 111, Muscat, Oman

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