Effect of recycled granular polyethylene terephthalate (PET) on fresh and hardened properties of self-consolidating concrete

In this thesis, an experimental program was conducted to investigate some mechanical, physical, durability and fresh properties of self-consolidating concretes made with waste granular polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Although there are various recycling methods for PET, using PET wastes in concrete production for which high volumes of aggregate is needed concrete may also be considered as an effective solution. In this study, utilization of PET granules obtained by crushing waste PET bottles as fine aggregate for production of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is investigated. PET granules that are passed through 4 mm sieve were used in SCC production as fine aggregate replacement by volume. The effect of PET on the fresh properties of SCC was examined. The inspected fresh properties are flow diameter, T50 cm flow time, and V funnel flow time. The compatibility of the produced SCC specimens that have PET aggregate to EFNARC (European Federation of National Associations Representing for Concrete) criteria was discussed. Additionally, 28-day compressive strength test, splitting tensile strength test results were also presented in order to discuss the effect of PET aggregate on the mechanical properties of SCC. Water absorption and sorptivity results were conducted to observe the effect of PET on the permeability of SCC produced. The results indicated that using PET granules in production of SCC resulted in deterioration of workability of SCC. However, there were no significant changes in the mechanical and absorption characteristics of SCC.