Mix design and tests on structural lightweight concrete contained plastic waste aggregate

Mohammed, Azad A.; Abdullah, Atta S.; Mahmood, Hersh F.; Al-Kamaki, Yaman S.S.

doi:10.22059/ceij.2026.404077.2410

Mix design and tests on structural lightweight concrete contained plastic waste aggregate

Articles in Press

Authors

Azad A. Mohammed ¹

Atta S. Abdullah ²

hersh F. Mahmood ³

Yaman S.S. Al-Kamaki ⁴

¹ Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Sulaimani

² Rzgari

³ Civil Engineering, University of Halabja

⁴ Technical College of Engineering, Duhok Polytechnic University

10.22059/ceij.2026.404077.2410

Abstract

In this study, an encouraged attempt was made to produce a structural lightweight concrete (LWC) containing plastic waste aggregate (PWA). Mix design was made based on calculating total surface area of natural aggregate and PWA but there was a need for trial mixes. On replacing 75% of natural fine aggregate for a mix with 45 MPa design strength with PWA, the researchers were able to produce structural LWC. On using PWA in the mixture, density was reduced from 2375 kg/m3 to 1917 kg/m3, compressive strength reduced from 47.78 MPa to 17.66 MPa, splitting tensile strength reduced from 3.58 MPa to 1.71 MPa and modulus of elasticity reduced from 27152 MPa to 13854 MPa. Performance of the produced LWC was assessed via testing beams and investigating steel-concrete pull-out strength. The structural behavior of the produced LWC is, in general, similar to the normal concrete but with reduced performance mainly because of the compressive strength reduction.

Keywords

Compressive strength

Concrete beam

Lightweight concrete

Plastic waste aggregate

Pull-out strength

Subjects