THE USE OF PLASTIC WASTES AS REINFORCEMENT IN RIGID ROAD PAVEMENTS

Abstract

—Low tensile strength and high temperature shrinkage cracking reduce the future load carrying capacity
(performance) of Jointed Plain Concrete rigid road Pavements (JPCP) under fatigue loading. The fatigue failure in
JPCP is much higher compared to Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) thus the higher fatigue failure
in JPCP structures and durability issues associated with the steel reinforcement corrosion in CRCP structures seek a
solution. This research study implements an improved technique of using PET plastic as a reinforcement in slab of rigid
road pavement in a grid pattern because the PET plastic possesses better resistance to environmental temperature,
moisture and aggressive chemicals degradation. The effectiveness of PET-grid reinforcement in two mix designs M1 and
PAVTAL was studied. Significant improvement in compressive, tensile, and flexural strength was determined. The
Compressive strength of PET-grid reinforced concrete was found 23% higher compared to plain cement concrete of M1
while for PAVTAL this increase was 20% compared to plain cement slag concrete (CSC). Splitting tensile strength of
PET-grid reinforced concrete was found 11% higher compared to plain cement concrete of M1, while for PAVTAL this
increase was observed 12% compared to plain cement slag concrete. Flexural strength of sawed beams of PET-grid
reinforced concrete was found 91% higher compared to plain cement concrete of M1 while for PAVTAL this increase
was 64% compared to plain cement slag concrete. An improved tensile behavior of PET-grid reinforced concrete was
observed. It was experimentally evaluated that PET-grid reinforcement is effective in enhancement of compressive,
tensile and flexural strength and in lowering the growth and propagation of tensile cracking under loading in rigid road
pavement slab. It was also experimentally concluded that 6 in. x 6 in. multiple layered PET-grid of 345.00mm gauge
length possessed 78% higher ultimate strength and experienced 41.9% lower tensile strain compared to 4 in. x 4 in
multiple layered PET-grid of 177.80mm gauge length. Similarly, the Break stress of 6 in. x 6 in. PET-grid was evaluated
as 22.8% higher than 4 in. x 4 in. PET-grid.