Force-Deformation Study on Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete Slab Incorporating Waste Paper

This study inspects the viability of engaging the discarded paper wastes in concrete by varying the volume proportions from 0%-20% with each 5% increment in replacement of the weight of cement. A physiomechanical study was conducted, and the results were presented. A glass fiber reinforced rectangular slab with a longer span (l(y)) to shorter span (l(x)) ratio of (l(y): l(x)) 1.16 was cast with optimum replacement of waste-paper mass and compared the force-deformation characteristics with the conventional concrete slab without waste paper. The optimum percentage of discarded papers for the replacement of cement is 5%. Also, the results imply that the compressive strength at the age of 28 days is 30% improved for the optimum replacement. Based on the outcomes of the investigation, it can be inferred that the compressive strength gets progressively reduced if the volume of the discarded paper gets increases. The incorporation of glass fibers improves the split and flexural strength of the concrete specimens considerably. The ultimate load-carrying capacity of the glass fiber reinforced waste paper incorporated concrete slab measured 42% lower than that of the conventional slab. However, development of the new type of concrete incorporating waste papers is the new trend in ensuring the sustainability of construction materials.

Automated summary

This study examines the feasibility of using discarded paper in concrete, and presents the results of a physiomechanical study. The optimal replacement percentage of waste paper for cement is found to be 5%, which improves the compressive strength by 30% at the age of 28 days. The addition of glass fibers significantly enhances the split and flexural strength of the concrete specimens.