Abstract
In this study, the mechanical properties of concrete composites containing waste PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and nano-silica were investigated to produce the lighter, more flexible and high-strength concrete. For this purpose, the different content of nano-silica was added to concrete containing 10 wt.% of waste PET aggregates. The mechanical properties and the morphology of the samples were investigated. The mechanical properties such as flexural, tensile and compressive strength of the composites declined with the PET aggregates, but the mechanical properties were significantly improved by incorporating the nano-silica. Optimum composition containing 10 wt.% of PET and 3 wt.% of nano silica was obtained, in which the tensile strength, compressive strength, and flexural strength were increased 27%, 30%, and 9% respectively compared to the neat concrete. The density of the optimum sample was decreased by 4% relative to the neat concrete. SEM (scanning electron microscope) images showed that introducing the nano-silica into concrete improved the interfacial transition zone between cement and the PET aggregates.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abreu, G. B. d., Costa, S. M. M., Gumieri, A. G., Calixto, J. M. F., França, F. C., Silva C., and Quinõnes, A. D. (2017). “Mechanical properties and microstructure of high performance concrete containing stabilized nano-silica.” Matéria, Vol. 22, No. 2, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/s1517-707620170002.0156.
Alqahtani, F. K., Ghataora, G., Khan M. I., and Dirar S. (2017). “Novel lightweight concrete containing manufactured plastic aggregate.” Construction and Building Materials Vol. 148, pp. 386–397, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.05.011.
Araghi, H. J., Nikbin, I., Reskati, S. R., Rahmani E., and Allahyari H. (2015). “An experimental investigation on the erosion resistance of concrete containing various PET particles percentages against sulfuric acid attack.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 77, pp. 461–471, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.12.037.
Awaja, F. and Pavel, D. (2005). “Recycling of PET.” European Polymer Journal, Vol. 41, No. 7, pp. 1453–1477, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2005.02.005.
Chen, J., Kou, S.-c., and Poon, C.-s. (2012). “Hydration and properties of nano-TiO2 blended cement composites.” Cement and Concrete Composites, Vol. 34, No. 5, pp. 642–649, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2012.02.009.
Choi, Y.-W., Moon, D.-J., Chung, J.-S., and Cho, S.-K. (2005). “Effects of waste PET bottles aggregate on the properties of concrete.” Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 35, No. 4, pp. 776–781, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2004.05.014.
Comăniţă, E.-D., Hlihor, R. M., Ghinea C., and Gavrilescu, M. (2016). “Occurrence of plastic waste in the environment: ecological and health risks.” Environmental Engineering & Management Journal, Vol. 15, No. 3, pp. 675–686.
Du, H., Du, S., and Liu, X. (2014). “Durability performances of concrete with nano-silica.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 73, pp. 705–712, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.10.014.
Ehsani, A., Nili, M., and Shaabani, K. (2017). “Effect of nanosilica on the compressive strength development and water absorption properties of cement paste and concrete containing Fly Ash.” KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol. 21, No. 5, pp. 1854–1865, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-016-0853-2.
Ge, Z., Huang, D., Sun, R., and Gao, Z. (2014). “Properties of plastic mortar made with recycled polyethylene terephthalate.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 73, pp. 682–687, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.10.005.
Ghafari, E., Costa, H., Júlio, E., Portugal, A., and Durães, L. (2014). “The effect of nanosilica addition on flowability, strength and transport properties of ultra high performance concrete.” Materials & Design, Vol. 59, pp. 1–9, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2014.02.051.
Hani, N., Nawawy, O., Ragab, K. S., and Kohail, M. (2018). “The effect of different water/binder ratio and nano-silica dosage on the fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concrete.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 165, pp. 504–513, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.01.045.
Hopewell, J., Dvorak, R., and Kosior, E. (2009). “Plastics recycling: challenges and opportunities.” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, Vol. 364, No. 1526, pp. 2115–2126, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2008.0311.
Hou, P.-k., Kawashima, S., Wang, K.-j., Corr, D. J., Qian, J.-s., and Shah, S. P. (2013). “Effects of colloidal nanosilica on rheological and mechanical properties of fly ash-cement mortar.” Cement and Concrete Composites, Vol. 35, No. 1, pp.12–22, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2012.08.027.
Ji, T. (2005). “Preliminary study on the water permeability and microstructure of oncrete incorporating nano-SiO2.” Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 35, No. 10, pp. 1943–1947, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2005.07.004.
Jo, B. W., Kim, C. H., and Lim, J. H. (2007). “Investigations on the development of powder concrete with nano-SiO2 particles.” KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 37–42, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02823370.
Kawashima, S., Hou, P., Corr, D. J., and Shah, S. P. (2013). “Modification of cement-based materials with nanoparticles.” Cement and Concrete Composites, Vol. 36, pp. 8–15, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2012.06.012.
Korpa, A., Kowald, T., and Trettin, R. (2008). “Hydration behaviour, structure and morphology of hydration phases in advanced cement-based systems containing micro and nanoscale pozzolanic additives.” Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 38, No. 7, pp. 955–962, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2008.02.010.
Land, G. and Stephan, D. (2012). “The influence of nano-silica on the hydration of ordinary Portland cement.” Journal of Materials Science, Vol. 47, No. 2, pp. 1011–1017, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-011-5881-1.
Li, H., Xiao, H.-g., Yuan, J., and Ou, J. (2004). “Microstructure of cement mortar with nano-particles.” Composites Part B: Engineering, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 185–189, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1359-8368(03)00052-0.
López, M. d. M. C., Pernas, A. I. A., López, M. J. A., Latorre, A. L., Vilariño, J. L., and Rodríguez, M. V. G. (2014). “Assessing changes on poly (ethylene terephthalate) properties after recycling: Mechanical recycling in laboratory versus postconsumer recycled material.” Materials Chemistry and Physics, Vol. 147, No. 3, pp. 884–894, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2014.06.034.
Mahdikhani, M., Bamshad, O., and Shirvani, M. F. (2018). “Mechanical properties and durability of concrete specimens containing nano silica in sulfuric acid rain condition.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 167, pp. 929–935, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.01.137.
Manzur, T. and Yazdani, N. (2015). “Optimum mix ratio for carbon nanotubes in cement mortar.” KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol. 19, No. 5, pp. 1405–1412, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-014-0721-x.
Mark, J. E. (2009). Polymer data handbook, Oxford University Press Inc., Oxford, UK.
Mermerdaş, K., Nassani, D. E., and Sakin, M. (2017). “Fresh, mechanical and absorption characteristics of self-consolidating concretes including low volume waste PET granules.” Civil Engineering Journal, Vol. 3, No. 10, pp. 809–820, DOI: https://doi.org/10.28991/cej-030916.
Navarro, R., Ferrandiz, S., Lopez, J., and Seguí, V. (2008). “The influence of polyethylene in the mechanical recycling of polyethylene terephtalate.” Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 195, Nos. 1–3, pp. 110–116, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2007.04.126.
Nazari, A. and Riahi, S. (2010). “The effects of ZrO2 nanoparticles on physical and mechanical properties of high strength self compacting concrete.” Materials Research, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 551–556, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-14392010000400019.
Nili, M. and Ehsani, A. (2015). “Investigating the effect of the cement paste and transition zone on strength development of concrete containing nanosilica and silica fume.” Materials & Design, Vol. 75, pp. 174–183, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2015.03.024.
Qing, Y., Zenan, Z., Deyu, K., and Rongshen, C. (2007). “Influence of nano-SiO2 addition on properties of hardened cement paste as compared with silica fume.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 539–545, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.09.001.
Querica, G., Husken, G., and Brouwers, H. J. H. (2012). “Water demand of amorphous nano silica and its impact on the workability of cement past.” Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 344–357, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2011.10.008.
Rahmani, E., Dehestani, M., Beygi, M. H. A., Allahyari, H., and Nikbin, I. M. (2013). “On the mechanical properties of concrete containing waste PET particles.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 47, pp. 1302–1308, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.06.041.
Rai, B., ST Rushad, B. Kr, and Duggal, S. (2012). “Study of waste plastic mix concrete with plasticizer.” ISRN Civil Engineering, Vol. 2012, pp. 1–5, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/469272.
Saikia, N. and de Brito, J. (2014). “Mechanical properties and abrasion behaviour of concrete containing shredded PET bottle waste as a partial substitution of natural aggregate.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 52, pp. 236–244, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.11.049.
Saxena, R., Siddique, S., Gupta, T., Sharma, R. K., and Chaudhary, S. (2018). “Impact resistance and energy absorption capacity of concrete containing plastic waste.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 176, pp. 415–421, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.05.019.
Shaikh, F., Supit, S., and Sarker, P. (2014). “A study on the effect of nano silica on compressive strength of high volume fly ash mortars and concretes.” Materials & Design, Vol. 60, pp. 433–442, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2014.04.025.
Shih, J. Y., Chang, T. P., and Hsiao, T. C. (2006). “Effect of nanosilica on characterization of Portland cement composite.” Mater. Sci. Eng.: A, Vol. 424, pp. 266–274.
Subramanian, P. (2000). “Plastics recycling and waste management in the US.” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Vol. 28, Nos. 3–4, pp. 253–263, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-3449(99)00049-X.
Taghavi, S. K., Shahrajabian H., and Hosseini, H. M. (2018). “Detailed comparison of compatibilizers MAPE and SEBS-g-MA on the mechanical/thermal properties, and morphology in ternary blend of recycled PET/HDPE/MAPE and recycled PET/HDPE/SEBS-g-MA.” Journal of Elastomers & Plastics, Vol. 50, No. 1, pp. 13–35, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0095244317698738.
Tawfik, M. E., and Eskander, S. B. (2010). “Chemical recycling of poly (ethylene terephthalate) waste using ethanolamine. Sorting of the end products.” Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 95, No. 2, pp. 187–194, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2009.11.026.
Thorneycroft, J., Orr, J., Savoikar, P., and Ball, R. (2018). “Performance of structural concrete with recycled plastic waste as a partial replacement for sand.” Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 161, pp. 63–69, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.11.127.
Welle, F. (2011). “Twenty years of PET bottle to bottle recycling—an overview.” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Vol. 55, No. 11, pp. 865–875, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2011.04.009.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Behzadian, R., Shahrajabian, H. Experimental Study of the Effect of Nano-silica on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete/PET Composites. KSCE J Civ Eng 23, 3660–3668 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-019-2440-9
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-019-2440-9