Light Concrete Based on Production Waste Polypropylene Container

Abstract

Problem statement. These days, the use of secondary waste generated as a result of human activity is a relevant issue in the construction industry. One of the directions of realization of this task is the production of light structural and heat-insulating concrete by using light aggregates − industrial waste. The analysis of the current state of light concrete development and research showed that on the basis of production waste, structurally heat-insulating products made of light concrete can be obtained, which, unlike products made of heavy concrete, will significantly reduce the load on building structures and increase their heat-insulating and sound-insulating ability. In addition, the use of industrial waste as filler will lead to a decrease in the cost of construction products. The analysis of the publications showed that light structural and heat-insulating concrete can be obtained on light aggregates, such as granulated slag, cullet, waste from the processing of rubber tires, etc. It is known to use granulated slag with a bulk weight of 880 kg/m3 to obtain light structural and heat-insulating concrete with a bulk weight of 1 720−1 780 kg/m3 and a compressive strength limit of 7,3−8,2 MPa [1]. However, nowadays, in connection with the reduction of metallurgical production, the volume of such slags production has significantly decreased. In literary sources there is information about the use of cullet with a volume weight of 700 kg/m3 for the production of light concrete [2]. However, the widespread use of cullet is restrained due to the economic component, namely, that secondary processing of cullet is more effective for the manufacture of new glass-based products. It is known to use rubber crumb with a bulk weight of 300 kg/m3 with a fraction of 1−6 mm, which is formed as a result of processing rubber automobile tires, in construction [3]. The introduction of rubber crumb into the composition of the concrete mixture leads to a decrease in the mass of structures and an improvement of its deformable, heat-insulating and sound-insulating characteristics. Analysis of the production technology of polypropylene containers [4] showed that during the production of such containers aggregate and fiber are formed. The aggregate is blue or transparent granules, most of which are triangular and rectangular in shape. The water absorption of polypropylene aggregate is 8,6 %, and its density is 1,06 g/cm3. The specified information source provides data on the use of polypropylene fiber only, and there is no information on the use of aggregate. The purpose of the article was to determine the possibilities of using light aggregate − a production waste polypropylene containers, to obtain compositions of light constructive and heat-insulating concrete. At the same time, the goal of researching the strength characteristics of these concretes depending on the amount of aggregate in the mixture was also set. Conclusions. The possibility of using light structural and heat-insulating concrete in warehouses as a filler for polypropylene container production waste is considered. Studies of the compressive strength and volumetric weight of concrete showed the possibility of obtaining light concrete with a volumetric weight of 1,395 to 1,805 kg/m3 when achieving a concrete grade of compressive strength of M25 to M250. In our opinion, the use of light concrete with a volume weight of 1 625 to 1 805 kg/m3 and a compressive strength grade equal to M100−M250 will be the most acceptable for the construction of buildings and structures in terms of structural and thermal insulation characteristics. In the future, it is necessary to conduct tests of these concretes deformable characteristics with the establishment of their elastic characteristics and concrete classes in terms of strength.