Abstract Outline

Hello everyone,

Here is my abstract outline for my applied research project, Recycled Materials in Concrete Foundations. This is the abstract only and does not include my original graphic and academic sources, they will be posted in hard copy by April 8th. To view my current sources you can scroll down to the bottom of my blog where they are listed.

Enjoy!

Recycled Materials in Concrete for Foundations

What is the best recyclable material that can be mixed in concrete for foundations in Kamloops, B.C.? This report will focus on three types of recyclable materials consisting of used tires, plastic and glass. All three materials will be crushed or shredded and then mixed in cement to produce a green concrete that is superior to the normal concrete used in foundation walls.
Used tires can be shredded and then mixed with cement to produce a rubberized concrete. Using these tires in concrete has many pros that include rubber having a long life expectancy and being water resistant. Rubber is cheap and gives the surface of concrete some give in both tension or compression. You only need about half the amount of rubber to achieve the same amount of strength. The cons of using rubber in concrete include it being difficult to apply, and that it poses a hazard to workers working with it. Rubber also reduces compressive strength and gives a loss of stiffness to the concrete.
Plastic can be shredded and then mixed with cement to produce a plastic concrete. Using recycled plastic in concrete seems to have many pros and very few cons. Some of the pros include plastic being extremely versatile, durable, light in weight and resistant to chemicals, water and impact. Plastic has excellent thermal and electrical insulation properties, has a low production cost, and is non degradable. However the most important property of plastic is its high strength and ability to improve compressive strength in concrete. The cons of using plastic in concrete are that plastic contains potential harmful chemicals and that it decreases in strength in higher temperatures.
Glass can be crushed as aggregate and mixed with cement to produce a glossy looking type of concrete. Using the recycled glass proves to be a good idea for foundations because it increases the compressive strength in concrete. Other pros consist of the cement increasing in strength in higher temperatures, and its ability to resist abrasion. Glass is very durable and also has the ability to resist water. In addition, the use of fine glass is proven to give better results in concrete than course glass. The only con of using recycled glass in Kamloops, is that there is no local glass recycling plant nearby.
In conclusion, using either plastic or glass in concrete seems to be the best choice. In both materials the pros out way the cons by a mile. Further test at the local concrete plant will help determine if the predictions are correct.

Conclusions

Between my three choices of materials in concrete ( tires, glass and plastic ), my conclusion is that glass or plastic would be the best choice. Both glass and plastic increase the compressive strength in concrete, which is vital in building foundation walls.

To further test these methods I plan to go to the local cement plan and test my theories on compressive strengths. I will also test other benefits such as life expectancy, resistance to water and sound and how these materials react to kamloops temperatures.

Pros and Cons of Plastic in Concrete

Pros

- Extreme versatility and ability to be tailored to meet specific technical needs.
- Lighter weight than competing materials reducing fuel consumption during transportation.
- Durability and longevity.
- Resistance to chemicals, water and impact.
- Excellent thermal and electrical insulation properties.
- Comparatively lesser production cost.
- Unique ability to combine with other materials like adhesives.
- Low density and high strength
- Non degradable
- Improves Compressive strength
- Increases in strength with time


Cons

- Potential harmful chemicals
- Decreases in strength with higher temperatures

Youtube Video of Reinforced Recyled Concrete

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgnef_xd6jk

Updated Theosis Question

Updated Theosis Question- What is the best recycleable material that can be mixed in concrete for foundations in Kamloops, B.C..

I will be compairing recycled tires, plastic and glass and their compressive strengths once mixed in concrete

Original Graphic

Glass aggregate in Concrete

Doing a little more research it looks like recycled glass in concrete increases the compressive strength of the cement.

Pros
-Fine glass is better than course glass
-Cement gets stronger in higher temperatures
-Cement looks glossier
-Resistance to abrasion
-Durable

Cons
- No recycled glass plant in Kamloops

Pros and Cons of Recycled tires in Concrete

Pros
-Rubberized Concrete has a long life expectancy
-Cheaper
-Only need about half the amount to achieve the same strength
-Surface gives a little
-Less concrete is used


Cons
-Difficult to apply
-May pose a hazard to workers working with it
-Reduces compressive strength therefore not good for foundations
-Loss of stiffness