Ohio’s Research Initiative for Locals (ORIL) Research On-Call Task 6 – An Experimental Study on The Influence of Polyester Fibers, Plastic, Glass, And Tire Waste on Low-Strength Concrete Performance

Spearheaded by Defiance County, the research to develop a cost-efficient, flexible concrete mix was carried out by the Ohio University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The study explored the integration of locally-sourced waste materials--tire shreds, fiberglass, polyester fiber, and plastic waste--into the concrete mix. Rigorous testing protocols, aligned with ASTM C39/C39M and C496/C496M-17 standards, were employed to measure the compressive strength, split tensile strength and elastic modulus of the modified concrete. The results were compelling: inclusion of polyester fibers resulted in a 60% improvement in compressive strength and a 141% enhancement in elastic modulus. Tire shreds also positively influenced the mix, with an 84% increase in compressive strength and a 138% boost in elastic modulus. However, these figures come with a cautionary note regarding the uniform distribution of tire shreds in real-world applications. Additionally, these materials led to significant increases in split tensile strength, with polyester fibers and tire waste showing gains of 17% and 130%, respectively. Glass fibers also contributed positively but to a lesser extent. In contrast, plastic waste had a detrimental effect, causing a 40% decrease in compressive strength and a 62% reduction in elastic modulus. Strain at failure varied significantly among the mixes. Glass fiber exhibited the highest strain, 254% relative to the control, while polyester had a 94% increase, and the combined mixes ranged from 45% to 128% relative to the control. The study uncovered the nuanced challenges and opportunities of using waste materials in concrete, presenting avenues for sustainable construction solutions.

• Record URL:
  • https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p267401ccp2/id/22212/rec/1
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/72886
• Corporate Authors:

  Ohio Research Institute for Transportation and the Environment (ORITE)

  Ohio University
  Athens, Ohio  United States 

  Ohio Department of Transportation

  Office of Research and Development
  1980 West Broad Street
  Columbus, OH  United States  43223

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Khoury, Issam
  • 0000-0003-4856-7535
  • Green, Roger R
  • 0000-0003-2497-825X
  • Basit Dahar, Abdul
• Publication Date: 2023-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 28p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Admixtures; Compressive strength; Mix design; Modulus of elasticity; Tensile strength; Wastes
• Geographic Terms: Ohio
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01902889
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/OH-2023-21
• Contract Numbers: 34878
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 21 2023 9:21AM