Influence of waste PET fibres on mechanical and durability properties of polyester concrete for tension members

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Abstract

In the northern areas of Pakistan, the fabric mostly used for wearing purposes is polyester (polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Due to its versatile quality, concrete is the most demanding construction material. In this study, durability & mechanical properties of polyester concrete (PC) are investigated by including raw polyester fibre (PF) with varying percentages (0,0; 0,5; 1,0; 1,5; and 2,0 %). Additionally, 1% sodium carbonate is used as a cement replacement. The results reveal that the addition of 1 % polyester (PET) fibre by weight produces 25,0 and 20,6 % increases in tensile and compressive strengths, respectively. The increased percentage of fibre also significantly reduces chloride permeability, indicating improved crack resistance in concrete. However, fibre additions of 1,5 or 2,0 % may result in reduced compressive strength and increased permeability. Therefore, 1 % polyester fibre is recommended for the application of concrete tension members and mortar in external walls. Moreover, this research focuses on the sustainable use of raw polyester as a constructive approach towards addressing environmental challenges associated with conserving resources, waste disposal, and mitigating environmental pollution.