Journal of Green Engineering (JGE)
Volume-10, Issue-1, January 2020
Use of Waste Synthetic Fiber Reinforcement in Environmental Friendly and Economic
Pavement Construction
1,*Bishnu Kant Shukla,
2Anit Raj Bhowmik,
3Pushpendra Kumar
Sharma, 4Abhimanyu
1,*
Assistant Professor, School of Civil Engineering,Lovely Professional University,
Phagwara, Punjab, India. E-mail: [email protected] 2Student, School of Civil Engineering,Lovely Professional University, Phagwara,
Punjab, India. E-mail: [email protected] 3 Associate Professor, School of Civil Engineering,Lovely Professional University,
Phagwara, Punjab, India. E-mail: [email protected] 4Student, School of Civil Engineering,Lovely Professional University, Phagwara,
Punjab, India.E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Brittle behavior of concrete restrains its use in pavement construction and
seismic applications despite the fact that it is economical and offers
numerous advantages as far as mechanical properties are concerned. Such
applications essentially require a material demonstrating flexible behavior.
Repeated application of compressive loads, of dynamic nature, on pavements
often result in cracking as well as shrinkage in plain cement concrete (PCC).
Synthetic fiber application in concrete mix reduces problem of cracking in
plain concrete. Addition of waste synthetic fibers obtained from used plastic
bottles has been discussed in this paper which not only solves problem
disposal of solid waste but also application of such synthetic fiber improves
Journal of Green Engineering, Vol. 10_1, 62–75. Alpha Publishers
This is an Open Access publication. © 2020 the Author(s). All rights reserved
63 Bishnu Kant Shukla et al
compressive strength of a paving grade concrete mix. Specimen cubes of
concrete containing fiber volume content of 5%, 10% and 15% as well as
with no fiber content was casted. Fibrillated and discrete synthetic fibers
were used in the present study. Standard procedures of testing of concrete
mixes were used to determine mechanical properties of specimen and on
account of the current work, a noteworthy decline in drying contraction and
settlement was detected in concrete mixes reinforced with fiber without
substantial variation in compressive strength. Use of synthetic fiber was
found not only an economic way to improve pavement strength but also
suggested an environmental friendly solution to problem of solid waste
disposal in urban settlements.
Keywords: Synthetic fiber, Green concrete, Economy of pavement,
Shrinkage, Durability.
1 Introduction
Concern of reprocessing different sorts of waste resources has been
certainly, one of major issue that concerns general public and must be
addressed immediately. This is immediately required that researchers find
innovative, easy to use and unique solution in order to address the issue of
reusing the solid wastes [1]. Dumping, which was widely exercised as most
popular method of disposal of solid wastes, has now become expensive [2]
due to shortage of land in urban regions and is also one of most eco-
unfriendly methods [3] of disposal of wastes. This is required to find
greener and cheaper solution to the issue of disposal of solid waste in order
to address the ever growing quantity of solid waste [4]. Investigation is
being done by researchers on the employment of these waste-materials
during production of concrete blend [1,3,5-9]. Such solutions are aimed to
making economical production of concrete and, thus, will solve issue of the
disposal of waste. A number of alternate use of plastic as replacement
material is available in literature. Both plastic recycle industries and
construction sector will be greatly benefitted, if there exists, an effective and
economical solution of disposal and reuse of waste material of plastic in
industries such as construction [8, 10]. However, rigorous research work
must be done before actual application of such solution. In the current
scenario, with the advancement of manufacturing technology, plastic has
become alternative to almost every material and hence constitutes major
part of solid waste in urban population. Polyethylene and polyethylene
terephthalate, commonly known as PET, are the major part of generated
municipal plastic waste [1, 11-14]. Plastic cans and jugs, used for storage
and packing of drinks and mineral water, constitutes polyethylene
terephthalate as major material. Work is being done by researchers to use
fibers obtained from PET bottles as partial replacement material in
Use of Waste Synthetic Fiber Reinforcement in Environmental Friendly and
Economic Pavement Construction 64
production of concrete [15]. It has been established from recent work that
PET fibers not only reduces cost of concrete production but also increase
tensile strength of members of concrete [15] which has low vale of tensile
strength as compared to very high compressive strength. This is due to full
scale and small crack which is generally found in concrete in the process of
shrinkage [1, 3, 15]. Different types of fibers when mixed in controlled
proportion; concrete’s tensile strength was witnessed to escalate [16]. Due
to sewing effect of such fibers, tensile strength of whole member made by
concrete is improved. In fact, application of plastic fibers reduces crack
development and also decreases propagation of cracks during post cracking
stage and this is the reason of increment of tensile strength of such concrete
[17]. However, workability of concrete is greatly affected when large
amount of fibers are used during concrete manufacture. Hence,
establishment of a mix proportion is required which not only increases
tensile strength of concrete members but also does not reduce workability to
a major extent [1, 18]. The current work reuses fibers of PET bottles in
course aggregate of concrete with the aim of enhancing certain physical
properties of ordinary concrete thereby providing green solution to problem
of disposal of solid wastes containing plastic bottles.
2 Literature Survey
Application of synthetic fibers on various physical and chemical
properties of concrete was studied by a number of researchers in recent past.
Study on use of micro fibers revealed that such concrete posses increased
toughness and are able to resist cracks on sustained application of loading
[19]. Fibers have been found to increase tensile and fatigue strength, lower
maintenance cost and decrease permeability of pavement surface. Due to
crack arresting properties of fibers, post cracking properties of pavement
and ductility was also found to improve [20]. As a result of extensive work,
it was found that polypropylene fibers, having density of 0.9 kg/m3, produce
optimum crack resistance when mixed with aggregates by 0.1% volume [1,
7-8]. Work done on reinforcement of steel fibers showed increase in 3%-5%
strength [21]. Use of fibrillated polypropylene fibers showed not only
strength increment as compared to ordinary concrete pavement but also
improvements were observed in settlement characteristics, shrinkage and
abrasion resistance [13-14]. Use of 3-D models on SFRC depicted
improvement in fatigue performance of such pavements [18]. Mono and
hybrid fibers, when used in combination, resulted in large enhancement in
compressive, flexural and split tensile strengths of pavement under cyclic
loading. [6-7, 10]. Glass fiber reinforced polymers, when used in road
65 Bishnu Kant Shukla et al
pavement construction, showed 30% more flexural capabilities of ordinary
pavement [15].
3 Materials and Methodology
Compressive strength of concrete mix generally relies upon the design
of mix. Be that as it may, it is also influenced by a few different variables.
For example, mixing and placement of the concrete and it also depends on
the ingredient's qualities. [1]. Materials, as explained in following
subsection, were used during casting of cubes used in the work under study.
3.1 Aggregates used in Manufacture of Concrete
In the fabrication of concrete, aggregates are most important part of
admixture. Aggregates are used as filler primarily and also add strength to
the concrete. In addition to course aggregates, fine aggregates are used as
filler and help to strengthen course aggregates.
3.1.1 Course Aggregates used in the Study
Course aggregates are the aggregates that do not pass through IS sieve
of 4.75 mm size and contain appropriate quantity of fine material as stated
in the code. Flaky aggregates were used in present study which are longer as
compared to conventional aggregates and considerably enhance the strength
of concrete. Due to use of such aggregates, a reduction of 10-15% in air
voids was obtained.
3.1.2 Fine Aggregates used in the Study
Fine aggregates are those aggregates that pass through IS sieve of 4.75
mm size and have appropriate quantity of coarser material as allowed by
composition. Sand was selected as fine aggregate in the existing study having
average size of 0.07 mm.
3.2 Strips of Waste PET Bottles
Polyethylene terephthalate generally shortened as PETE, PET, or the
outdated PET-P or PETP is the most extensively acknowledged resin of
thermoplastic polymer character which belongs to the family of polyester
and is utilized in containers used to store different types of food products,
thermoforming for assembling and in blend with fiber of glass for different
types of resins in engineering. PETE bottles, generally obtained from
containers of drinks, are generally recycled to be reused to produce products
of lower grades [1, 9]. In usual state, PET is a resin having no colour and
exists in semi-crystalline state. In view of how it is handled, PET can be
Use of Waste Synthetic Fiber Reinforcement in Environmental Friendly and
Economic Pavement Construction 66
semi-inflexible to rigid which is also lightweight. It is having qualities to be
used as a very good barrier for gas and moisture and also to alcohol and
solvent. At the point when permitted to cool gradually, the liquid polymer
shaped a progressively crystalline material. This crystalline material was
composed of spherulites that contained numerous little crystallites when
solidified, formed an amorphous solid, as opposed to framing one extensive
single crystal.
3.3 Apparatus used in the Study
Specimens of cube were casted at the construction site and
determination of compressive strength of each casted cube was
accomplished by carrying out laboratory test. The details of the process and
tests are described in subsections of the present section.
3.3.1 Mould used for Cube Casting
Mould of size 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm was selected for casting
the specimen of concrete cubes. Standard specifications for cube casting
were referred for preparations of the moulds.
3.3.2 Compression Testing Machine (CTM)
The machine used in the laboratory testing of specimen, Compression
Testing Machine (CTM), was made up of cast iron base with two columns
and a steel cross head. The columns connected the cross head and base
using nut system. This was an Electric Compression Tester that consisted of
hydraulic jack which was secured to base. The upper part of platen which
generally had action of self aligning was locked with a screw that crossed
the cross head and it was able to be be elevated or brought down for
introductory leeway modification [4]. The lower platen, which was placed
on the ram of jack, was situated with the assistance of a focusing pin. The
CTM was equipped with regulator that made it enable for varying the
frequency of tendering of load. The CTM was also fitted with hand
operation amenities. The testing machine that runs on electricity supply was
also fixed with a reading gauge.
3.4 Casting of Cubes
A proportion of 1.0 : 1.5 : 3.0 was selected for cement, fine aggregates
(sand) and coarser aggregates and the admixture was mixed
homogeneously. Mixture was turned into paste as per requirements and after
that to produce first type specimen of cubes, 5% quantity by volume of
67 Bishnu Kant Shukla et al
synthetic fiber was added to the mixture. The quantity of fiber was, in
subsequent mixture, was changes to 10% and 15% respectively to produce
other two types of specimen. Each mixture was placed into the casting
moulds in layers three times and was temped using tempting rods as per
specification (Fig. 1). A total 25 times tampering was done corresponding to
every layer in order to ensure consolidation and removal of air voids. The
mould, after tampering, was left to allow setting of cube for at least 10 hours
and after this was achieved; curing was done for 7 days, 14 days and 28
days respectively. Each cube type was tested for compressive strength after
a setting time of 7 days, 14 days and 28 day and a total of 12 cubes of every
type were tested to minimize experimental errors and average strength
during each test was recorded.
Fig. 1 Mould receiving concrete placement
3.5 Specimen Testing
Each type of specimen was tested using CTM after 7, 14 and 28 days
separately [22]. To get accurate results, it was necessary that samples must
be dry from both inside and outside to eliminate any chance of effect of
moisture on results. As the end application of such types of concrete was
intended to be used on pavements, samples were dried from outside and
inside both by putting the same in sun for a given period of time. After
drying, the specimens were kept on hydraulic electrically run unit of CTM
(Fig.2). Subsequently, the samples were positioned on the loading panel of
compression testing machine. Initial reading of gauge was made zero and
the test started. Fracture reading of dial gauge was recorded which reflected
the compressive strength of the specimen of concrete.
Use of Waste Synthetic Fiber Reinforcement in Environmental Friendly and
Economic Pavement Construction 68
Fig. 2 Compressive strength of cube in CTM
4 Analysis of Results
Compressive strength outcomes of samples containing no quantity of
fiber, 5% quantity of fibers, 10% quantity of fibers and 15% quantity of
fibers are presented as in Table 1. The compressive strength of specimen
increases from 12.44 N/mm2 in specimen containing no fiber to 14.66
N/mm2 in specimen having 5% fiber. It was also concluded from the table
that when percentage of fiber was further increased, compressive strength of
concrete showed decline and achieved strength was 11.80 N/mm2 in
specimen with 10% fiber and 9.80 N/mm2 in concrete cube having 15%
quantity of fibers.
Table 1 Compressive strength of specimen after 7 days curing
Serial
No
Percentage
of fiber
Mix
grade
Compressive strength results
after 7 days of curing
Load
applied
in kN
Actual value of
compression
strength in
N/mm2
1 0.00
M 20
280.00 12.440
2 5.00 330.00 14.660
3 10.00 265.00 11.800
4 15.00 220.00 9.800
69 Bishnu Kant Shukla et al
Table 2 denotes results obtained as a result of cube testing after 14 days
curing period. The compressive strength increased from 17.77 N/mm2
corresponding to specimen with no fiber to 20.88 N/mm2 corresponding to
cube having 5% fiber content. However, on further increment in quantity of
synthetic fiber, the strength was seen to diminish and depicted values of
compressive strength equal to 16.88 N/mm2 in specimen having 10% fiber
content and 15.11 N/mm2 in cube specimen having fiber content of 15%.
Table 2 Compressive strength of specimen after 14 days curing
Serial
No
Percentage
content of
fibers
Mix
grade
Compressive strength results
after 7 days of curing
Load
applied in
kN
Actual value of
compression
strength in
N/mm2
1 0.00
M 20
400.00 17.770
2 5.00 470.00 20.880
3 10.00 380.00 16.880
4 15.00 340.00 15.110
The outcomes of compressive strength of cubes were revealed in Table
3. As per Table 3, compressive strength increased from 19.11 N/mm2
corresponding to specimen with no fiber to 22.66 N/mm2 corresponding to
cube having 5% fiber content. However, on further increment in quantity of
synthetic fiber, the strength was seen to diminish and depicted values of
compressive strength equal to 17.55 N/mm2 in specimen having 10% fiber
content and 15.33 N/mm2 in cube specimen having fiber content of 15%.
Table 3 Compressive strength of specimen after 14 days curing
Serial
No
Percentage
content of
fibers
Mix
grade
Compressive strength results
after 7 days of curing
Load
applied in
kN
Actual value of
compression
strength in
N/mm2
1 0.00
M 20
430.00 19.110
2 5.00 510.00 22.660
3 10.00 395.00 17.550
4 15.00 345.00 15.330
Stacked bar chart was used to graphically represent the comparative
results (Fig. 3) for different percentage of fibers and curing days. As per
figure, this is concluded that highest value of compressive strength was
depicted by concrete specimen having fiber content of 15% at the
termination of 28 days of curing. On the other hand, minimum compressive
strength was produced by specimen having 15% quantity of synthetic fibers.
Use of Waste Synthetic Fiber Reinforcement in Environmental Friendly and
Economic Pavement Construction 70
Diminishing workability may be ascribed as the major reason behind
decline in concrete strength with increment in fiber content in cubes.
However, flexural strength and shear strength increase with increase in
content of fibers in concrete. On the other hand bulk density and cracking
was found to reduce with increment in fibber content. Thus, a concrete
having fiber ontent of 10% may also be recommended for practical
applications in place of concrete with no fiber content as the strengths are
comparable with enhanced properties of crack resistance and flexure having
low weight in the former.
Fig. 3 Graphical represetation of compressive strength comparison of cubes in
current study
5 Recommendations and Conclusion
The current study may be concluded as under: Application of fiber as a
replacement of aggregates in concrete affects compressive strength. Up to
percentage content of 5%, the strength of specimen increases and
subsequently starts diminishing as a result of reduction in workability of
concrete. A 5% v/v addition of synthetic fibers produces best enhancement
in compressive strength of concrete cubes. Application of fiber content in
addition to 5% reduces compressive strength of cubes however increases
flexural as well as shear strength and result in reduction of weight and bulk
density. Highest value of compressive strength was obtained corresponding
to specimen having 5% content of fibers and minimum values were
obtained from specimen containing 15% fiber content. Concrete, reinforced
71 Bishnu Kant Shukla et al
with fibers, may be used in light weight concrete applications such as road
pavements and superficial structures.
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Biographies
Bishnu Kant Shukla, born in February 1986, graduated from JSS Academy
of Technical Education, Noida and post graduated from National Institute of
Technology, Kurukshetra India in field of civil engineering and currently
pursuing Ph.D. in environmental and water resources engineering. He is
working as Assistant Professor in School of Civil Engineering, Lovely
Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India. He is having a total
experience of 6 years in administration, teaching and research. He is having
his areas of interests like environmental and water resources, green buildings,
transportation system modeling, pervious concrete, energy efficient
buildings, water and wastewater treatment technologies, environmental
designs, water resource management, river pollution control and industrial
wastewater treatment etc. In addition to teaching, he has served and
officiated administrative designations like Academic Counselor and Warden.
He has been author of more than 20 International/National Conference
research papers and published 7 journal papers. He has also authored two
book chapters. Two of his conference papers were awarded best paper award.
He is reviewer of Applied Water Science of Springer Nature and Journal of
Environmental Chemical Engineering of Elsevier and has reviewed many
papers of these journals. He has guided 14 B.Tech level projects on various
topics of civil engineering. He has submitted one project proposed to be
funded from DST, India. He has attended many workshops of international
and national repute. He is life member of Indian Science Congress
Association.
Anit Raj Bhowmik is a member of Indian Science Congress Association. He
holds a diploma and bachelor's degree in civil engineering and pursuing his
Use of Waste Synthetic Fiber Reinforcement in Environmental Friendly and
Economic Pavement Construction 74
master's degrees in civil engineering from Lovely Professional University at
Phagwara-Punjab. He has been in research work from bachelor's itself and
has many conferences proceedings under his name. He was awarded best
paper award in his two research papers presented in national and
international conferences, with two online publications of his research work,
he has worked for many alternatives ways for wastewater treatments and
highway planning and configurations, for better road quality and
environment friendly materials for the research work.
Dr. Pushpendra Kumar Sharma, born in December 1963, graduated and
post graduated from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India in field of
civil engineering in 1996 and with the same research centre, completed PhD
in civil engineering with specialization in environmental and water resources
engineering in 2017, is an Associate Professor in School of Civil
Engineering, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India. He is
having a total experience of more than 28 years; 9.5 years construction
industry and 19 years of teaching. He is having his areas of interests like
environmental and water resources, green buildings, capacity buildings,
earthquake resistant buildings, energy efficient buildings, water and
wastewater treatment technologies, environmental designs, sustainable
construction project management, river pollution control and industrial
wastewater treatment etc. In addition to teaching, Dr. Sharma has served and
officiated many administrative designations like Dean Academics, Dean
Students Welfare, Warden, Chairman Construction Committee HCST etc. He
has been the author of more than 40 International/Conference research
papers. He is reviewer of Cogent Engineering International Journal of Tailor
and Francis, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering and has
reviewed many papers of the same. He has successfully organized national
and international conferences in the working institutions. Currently he is
guiding 8 PhDs in civil engineering on various topics. He has guided one
M.Tech and two more currently being guided. He has guided 150 B.Tech
level projects on various topics of civil engineering. One of his patents is
recommended and one project proposed to be funded from DST, India. He
75 Bishnu Kant Shukla et al
attended many workshops of international and national repute. He is
successfully trained under National Programme for Capacity Building of
Engineers in Earthquake Risk Management (NPCBEERM), organized by
Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.
Abhimanyu has done bachelor degree in civil engineering from Lovely
Professional University, Phagwara-Punjab. His areas of interest are
environmental engineering, green engineering, concrete technology and eco
friendly ideas etc.
