An Analysis of the Use of Recycled Materials to Form a More

Environmentally and Economically Feasible Concrete Mixture

18 June 2015
Jessica Olsen

Research Background:
Concrete is composed of a mixture of cement, sand, aggregate rock/gravel, and water.
Once cured for 28 days, the concrete reaches its approximate maximum strength, and can be
used successfully to build structures such as bridges and roadways (Properties of Concrete,
2015) (See Figure 1). The basic concrete mix ratio used most frequently in structures today is
known as the Part 1, 2, 3 mix; it is composed of one part Portland cement, two parts sand, and
three parts gravel (The Basic Mix, 2013).
My past research has focused on testing the durability and strength of varying ratios of
concrete mixtures against the corrosive effects of acid precipitation. My results indicate that
concrete mixes with higher percentages of Portland cement and subsequently lower percentages
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of sand and aggregate are both more durable and stronger mixes. However, in order for this
mixture to be used readily when building infrastructure, it has to meet or fall below existing
construction budgets. Portland cement is the most expensive constituent of concrete mixes ($255
USD per ton) compared to the price of sand and clean gravel (approximately $26 USD per ton)
(Construction Mixes). Therefore, using higher ratios of cement in industrial, large scale
construction is not economically feasible.
Concrete is also considered the second most used material on Earth, second only to water
(Plastic Waste, 2015). In fact, the production of cement accounts for 5% of the worlds annual
carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, hence displaying the large environmental impacts of building
with concrete (Plastic Waste, 2015).
In order to reduce the economic and environmental effects of the production and use of
concrete, recycled materials can be used within mixes to act as a partial substitute for a
percentage of the cement, sand, or gravel typically used. Previous research has been conducted
concerning the use of recycled glass, plastics, and concrete aggregate (RCA) added in concrete
mixtures. Studies completed at Michigan State University utilized milled glass as a partial
substitute for approximately 20% of the cement in the mix (Oswald and Boomer, 2012). The
researchers hypothesize that the finely ground glass reacts with hydrates found in the cement,
therefore producing a stronger, more durable concrete that is resistant to water absorption
(Oswald and Boomer, 2012). When working with recycled plastics, researchers from James
Cook University have used polypropylene plastic waste in place of steel rebar, which gives
concrete tensile (stress) strength when used in infrastructure (Plastic Waste, 2015; E. Olsen,
P.E., personal communication, 2015). The results of this study suggest that plastic-reinforced
concrete can be safely used in sidewalks and pre-cast structures, but are not strong enough to be
used in high pressure areas such as bridges, where traffic continuously compresses the concrete
piers (Plastic Waste, 2015). Finally, the use of recycled concrete aggregate, called RCA, has
been used worldwide for many years. This process involves breaking, removing, and pulverizing
existing concrete structures into a revitalized material, which can be used in place of fresh
aggregate in new concrete mixes (Recycled Aggregates, 2015).
Hypothesis:
It is hypothesized that concrete including recycled glass as a partial substitute for sand
and aggregate will display the highest average compressive strength because of its ability to react
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with the hydrates in cement to form a subsequently stronger concrete (Oswald and Boomer,
2012).
Proposed Methods:
The Site:
In order to utilize a hydraulic compression machine to test the strength of the concrete
specimens, I will conduct my research in an environmental lab at the Naval Air Warfare Center
in Lakehurst, New Jersey.
Materials:

Portland cement
Sand
inch clean-cut aggregate rock
Water
Recycled glass
Recycled plastic

Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA)

(33) plastic test cylinders
(2) 4-inch diameter steel retaining

caps
(2) 60 durometer neoprene inserts
Hydraulic compression machine

Data Collection:
Material Collection:
The recycled materials (glass, plastic, and RCA) will be obtained from the Ocean County
Recycling Center. The Portland cement, sand, and gravel will be purchased from the same
manufacturer at a local hardware store. The plastic cylinders will be purchased through Gilson,
Inc., and the steel retaining caps and neoprene inserts are in possession from past research.
Procedure:
Concrete Mixing and Curing:
1. Determine the concrete mixture ratios (to be determined). Form 30 test cylinders using
the recycled glass (10), plastic (10), and RCA (10). Utilize the industry standard called
Batch C in this study (16.50% cement, 33.50% sand, and 50.00% gravel) as the base mix
for 5 specimens, and Batch E (25.00% cement, 20.00% sand, and 55.00% gravel) for the
remaining 5 specimens, which was found to be the strongest batch in previous studies.
2. Mix the concrete according to the ratios, and pour into biodegradable plastic cylinders (4
inch diameter). Tap the sides of the plastic cylinders while filling to release any trapped
air. Skim the top of the specimens using a trowel to create a flat surface and remove
excess water.
3. Create 3 test cylinders to use to prepare the hydraulic compression machine (not
including recycled materials).

4. Store in a dry, cool location and let cure for at least 28 days (Properties of Concrete,
2015) (See Figure 2).
Compressive Strength Test:
1. Remove the cured specimens from their plastic cylinders by drilling a small hole in the
bottom of the container. Insert the nozzle of an air compressor into the hole and apply
quick bursts of air until the container is separated from the concrete cylinder.
2. Program a hydraulic compression machine (maximum force of 220,000 lbs) to apply 500
lbs of pressure to secure the specimens and then proceed testing at a rate of 400
pounds/second (approximately 35 psi/second).
3. Prepare the first test sample by placing two 60 durometer neoprene inserts into two 4 inch
diameter unbonded capping steel retainers (See Figure 3).
4. Transfer the prepared sample to the machine and center it between the platens.
5. Begin the testing and stand behind a protective barrier.
6. Once the specimen fails, record the force at which the cylinder yielded (lbs).
7. Save the test data for each sample onto the computers hard drive.
8. Continue for the remaining 29 specimens.
9. Obtain the data sheets containing the test data via email to perform statistical analyses.
10. Calculate the pressure at which each specimen failed by dividing the force at the breaking
point by the surface area of the cylinder.
Statistical Analysis:
1. Analyze the data collected by comparing the failure pressures of the three batches (glass,
plastic, RCA) to determine the overall strongest recycled mixture. To support these
assumptions, utilize trendlines with R2 values and ANOVA tests.
Analytical Continuation:
1. Once the strongest average mixture (glass, plastic, or RCA) is determined, form 20 new
sampless with varying percentages of that recycled material to find the ideal percentage
substitution (10 with base Batch C, 10 with base Batch E). The percentages will increase
in increments of 10 (10% substitution of sand and gravel, 20%, 30%, and so on until
100% is replaced with that recycled material).
2. Follow Steps 2-4 of Concrete Mixing and Curing to pour and cure specimens.
3. Follow Compressive Strength Testing to test the strength of the samples in the hydraulic
compression machine.
4. Determine the strongest mixture by base mixture and percentage substitution of recycled
material. Analyze the economic and environmental impacts, and determine its feasibility
for use in infrastructure.

Project Timetable:
Date

Goal
Contact Robert Ropes, a mechanical engineer

June 2015

from NavAir, to check availability at the

environmental lab.
Pour all concrete specimens and let cure for 20

July 1-20, 2015

days.
Test cured specimens in the hydraulic

Late July to early August, 2015

compression at NavAir.
Pour the secondary batch of concrete specimens

August 1-20, 2015

and let cure for 20 days.

Test cured specimens in the hydraulic

Late August 2015

compression machine at NavAir. Analyze data

and write scientific sections.

September 2015

Create a poster and print.

References
Construction Mixes. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2015, from
http://www.acmesand.com/construction-mixes/
E. Olsen, P.E., personal communication, 2015
Oswald, T., & Boomer, L. (2012, February 20). Recipe for success: Recycled glass and cement.
Retrieved June 3, 2015, from http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2012/recipe-for-successrecycled-glass-and-cement/
Plastic Waste To Concrete: Cement Successfully Reinforced With Plastic Can Greatly Reduce
Pollution. (2015, March 11). Retrieved June 3, 2015, from
http://www.inquisitr.com/1915462/plastic-waste-reinforced-concrete-cement/
Properties of Concrete. (2015, January 14). Retrieved February 22, 2015, from
http://www.ce.memphis.edu/1101/notes/concrete/section_3_properties.html
Recycled Aggregates. (n.d.). Retrieved June 3, 2015, from http://www.cement.org/for-concretebooks-learning/concrete-technology/concrete-design-production/recycled-aggregates
The Basic Mix. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2013, from
http://matse1.matse.illinois.edu/concrete/bm.html

Figure 1: The typical strength-gain curve representing the

increasing compressive strength of concrete over its curing
period.

Figure 2: Example of a 4 inch

diameter cured concrete specimen.

Figure 3: 4 inch diameter neoprene inserts (60 durometer)

and steel retaining caps to be placed on the
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top and bottom of the concrete specimens during testing. The caps, along with neoprene inserts, allow
for the piston of the hydraulic compression machine to apply even force along the surface of the cylinder
and therefore a proper break.