Preliminary analysis of concrete reinforced with waste bottles PET fibers

As part of the research on fiber-reinforced concrete, the results of some tests for an approach to a broader testing on the possibility of using fibers from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles to increase the ductility of the concrete are reported. The fibers are simply cut from waste plastic bottles reducing, in this way, the manufacturing costs of recycled PET fiber-reinforced concrete. The aim of this paper is to explore the possibility of re-cycling a waste material that is now produced in large quantities, while achieving an improvement of the ductility of the concrete.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► Concrete reinforced with Polyethilene Terephthalate (PET) fibers shows a higher ductility. ► PET fibers are obtained from waste plastic bottles. ► Waste bottles are simply cut in “O” and strip fibers without any costly manufacturing. ► Re-cycling of plastic for concrete elements needing a high deformation in the post-cracking phase.