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Effect of Plasticizer on Workability and Compressive Strength of Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concrete
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Note: this paper is about construction materials engineering, not human health, it doesn't involve microplastics or health outcomes. Researchers found that adding a small amount (1%) of a chemical additive called plasticizer to concrete made from recycled construction debris actually makes it stronger and easier to work with than regular concrete, while adding too much weakens it. This matters for sustainable building practices, since it means we can reuse demolished concrete waste instead of mining new materials, but it doesn't directly relate to human health or microplastics.
The construction industry faces critical challenges concerning the depletion of natural aggregate resources and the escalating volume of construction and demolition waste. This research investigates the effect of Sikament 512 PKM plasticizer dosage on the compressive strength and workability of recycled coarse aggregate concrete. Four concrete mixtures were prepared with plasticizer dosages of 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% by weight of water, with a constant mix proportion of 1:1.5:3. Workability was evaluated using slump tests, and compressive strength was determined at 7, 14, and 28 days. The results demonstrated that 1% plasticizer dosage provided optimal performance, achieving a slump of 74 mm and a 28-day compressive strength of 30.70 MPa, representing an 11.1% improvement over the conventional concrete. Higher dosages of 3% and 5% caused segregation and bleeding, with slump values reaching 120 mm and 175 mm, respectively, and compressive strengths decreased by 1.2% and 18.9%, respectively. The enhanced performance at 1% dosage is attributed to effective dispersion of cement particles and a 10% reduction in water, which lowered the effective water-to-cement ratio from 0.59 to 0.53. This study establishes that an optimized plasticizer dosage is essential for achieving adequate workability and superior compressive strength in recycled aggregate concrete, thereby supporting sustainable construction practices by effectively utilizing demolished concrete waste.
More Papers Like This
Effect of Plasticizer on Workability and Compressive Strength of Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concrete
AI summary Read the abstract
Note: This paper is about construction engineering, not human health, it doesn't involve microplastics or health impacts. Researchers found that adding a small amount (1%) of a chemical additive to concrete made from recycled construction waste made it stronger and easier to work with, while adding too much actually weakened it. This matters for sustainable building practices, since it shows we can reuse demolished concrete instead of mining new materials, without sacrificing quality, but the dosage has to be just right.
Impact of using recycled plastic particles as a partial replacement of aggregates on the mechanical performance of the eco-friendly concrete
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Researchers found that mixing small amounts of recycled plastic waste into concrete (replacing sand or gravel) can create lighter, still-usable building material, best suited for things like sidewalks and paving blocks rather than load-bearing structures. This matters because it offers a practical way to reuse plastic waste instead of sending it to landfills or letting it break down into microplastics that pollute soil, water, and eventually our food and bodies. However, this is a construction materials study, not a health study, so it doesn't directly test whether the concrete itself sheds microplastics over time.
Performance evaluation of PET-modified concrete with PET granules and manufactured sand as fine aggregates
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Researchers found that mixing shredded plastic bottles into concrete, replacing some sand, actually made it stronger when used at the right amount (2%). This matters because it gives plastic waste a useful second life instead of it sitting in landfills or being burned, which releases toxic fumes harmful to human health.
Experimental Tests on Lightweight Cement Mortar and Concrete with Recycled Plastic Wastes
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This paper is not relevant to microplastics research — it tests the mechanical properties of cement mortar and concrete incorporating recycled plastic waste granules as aggregate substitutes, a construction materials engineering study.
Uniaxial and triaxial performance of concrete incorporating oxygen plasma-modified recycled plastic particles
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This is actually a construction materials study, not a human health study, it's about making concrete greener by mixing in recycled plastic waste instead of using only traditional stone materials. Scientists found that treating the plastic bits with a special gas process (plasma) before adding them to concrete helped the plastic bond better with the cement, making the concrete up to 33% stronger. This matters for the environment because it could help reduce plastic waste and reliance on mined materials in construction, though the study doesn't address microplastic release or direct human health effects.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.