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Plastic Straw Fibers as an Innovative Material for FRC under Flexural Loading: Statistical and Experimental Analysis
Fibras de pitillo de plástico como material innovador en FRC bajo carga de flexión: análisis estadístico y experimental
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15446/ing.investig.119189Keywords:
fiber-reinforced concrete, mechanical properties, polymeric straws, flexural test, recycled materials (en)concreto reforzado con fibras, propiedades mecánicas, pajillas poliméricas, ensayo de flexión, materiales reciclados (es)
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Plastic straws (PS) are often discarded after a brief period of use, contributing significantly to global pollution. This article explores the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) incorporating PS as an innovative reinforcing material. Our study evaluated the tensile strength and overall mechanical performance of concrete in both its fresh and hardened states after the inclusion of PS. To this effect, three tensile tests were performed, as well as 18 workability tests according to ASTM C-143 and 18 flexural tests following ASTM C78. Statistical methods were employed to analyze how the quantity and size of PS impact the mechanical properties of concrete. Although PS exhibited low stiffness and tensile strength, they demonstrated a high deformation capacity compared to other polymers. Additionally, the statistical analysis indicated that the dosage of PS added significantly influences the performance of FRC under flexural loading. Overall, the mechanical performance observed was comparable to that of other FRCs utilizing industrial polymers. This suggests that PS can effectively serve as a reinforcing element in concrete, given their good residual strength, which is a crucial characteristic in applications involving FRC.
Las pajillas de plástico (PS) suelen desecharse tras un breve período de uso, contribuyendo de manera significativa a la contaminación global. Este artículo explora las propiedades mecánicas del concreto reforzado con fibras (FRC) que incorpora PS como un material de refuerzo innovador. Nuestro estudio evaluó la resistencia a la tracción y el desempeño mecánico general del concreto en sus estados fresco y endurecido después de la inclusión de PS. Para ello, se realizaron tres ensayos de tracción, así como 18 ensayos de trabajabilidad conforme a ASTM C-143 y 18 ensayos de flexión siguiendo ASTM C78. Se emplearon métodos estadísticos para analizar la manera en que la cantidad y el tamaño de las PS influyen en las propiedades mecánicas del concreto. Aunque las PS presentaron baja rigidez y resistencia a la tracción, mostraron una alta capacidad de deformación en comparación con otros polímeros. Además, el análisis estadístico indicó que la dosis de PS añadida influye significativamente en el desempeño del FRC bajo carga de flexión. En general, el desempeño mecánico observado fue comparable al de otros FRC con polímeros industriales. Esto sugiere que las PS pueden servir de manera efectiva como elemento de refuerzo en el concreto, dada su buena resistencia residual, una característica crucial en aplicaciones con FRC.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Alejandro Meza, Rogelio Salinas, Julián Carrillo
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