Fresh and strength properties of concrete reinforced with metalized plastic waste fibers

This paper represents test results of workability and strength properties of concrete, reinforced with metalized plastic waste (MPW) resulting by discarded food packaging articles. Unlike the packaging articles like polypropylene terephthalate (PET) waste bottles and plastic carry bags; MPW is relatively unfit for effective recycling and contributes to the littering and expanding landfill areas causing environmental hazards. In this study, the feasibility of MPW fibers as reinforcing constituent for concrete is assessed by evaluating slump, compressive and splitting tensile strength and flexure strength. Films of MPW were shredded into 5 mm, 10 mm and 20 mm long fibers and mixed in concrete from 0% to 2% by volume of mix. The test results demonstrated improved splitting tensile strength and ductility of concrete due to the addition of MPW fibers. Concrete subjected to axial compression exhibited large deformations at higher loads compared to the conventional concrete. However, the workability, compressive strength and flexural strength showed a negligible reduction at 1% dosage of MPW fibers.