A Study on Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate by Plastic Waste and Cement by Saw Dust Ash in Standard Grade Concrete

Exploring the Sustainability of Concrete in the Era of Plastic and Wood Waste

Abstract

The use of plastic and wood based materials increasing day to day, the pollution to the environment is enormous. Since the plastic is a non-biodegradable material. Although steps were taken to reduce its consumption. Globally, the cement manufacturing industries contributes 7% of green-house gas emission to earth atmosphere. The sawdust is a byproduct of cutting or otherwise pulverizing wood with saw tool. This process is a daily activity causing heaps of sawdust to be generated after each day. This effects environment widely. The need to convert this waste product into a useful by product is the focus of the study.In this study we have casted M25 grade concrete replacing partially cement with saw dust & coarse aggregate with plastic at various percentages 5%-5%,5%-10%,5%-15%;10%-5%,10%-10%,10%-15%;15%-5%,15%-10%,15%-15%. The fresh concrete properties and mechanical properties were observed. It was concluded that the slump and the compacting factor decreased as the SDA content increased indicating that concrete becomes less workable as the SDA content increased and 10% of saw dust ash and 5% of plastic waste substitution is adequate to enjoy the maximum benefits of strength gain.