Effect of Temperature and Thermal Shock on Concrete Containing Hazardous Electronic Waste

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the effect of temperature and thermal shock on the physical and mechanical properties of concrete (M25) incorporating electronic waste (E-waste). The concrete mixtures were prepared using 10, 20, 30, 40, 50% of E-waste plastic [high impact polystyrene (HIPS)] as a partial replacement per unit volume of coarse aggregate. The compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and surface hardness of concrete specimens were examined before and after the thermal exposure. The concrete cube specimens with HIPS were heated to 100, 200, and 300°C for 1 h using muffle furnace. The compressive strength of specimens at room temperature was decreased with an increase of HIPS content. However, the specimens retained the compressive strength of about 50 at 50% HIPS replacement. Similarly, the compressive strength of specimens subjected to elevated temperatures after thermal shock decreased with an increase of HIPS and temperature. The nondestructive tests were carried out using a rebound hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity test. The rebound hammer results provides very consistent results similar to experimental values. Regardless the temperature, concrete incorporated upto 25% HIPS showed an ultrasonic pulse velocity within the limiting value $\mathrm{3,000}\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{s}$. This study shows the feasiblility of using E-waste plastic (HIPS) in concrete as construction material in order to reduce the environmental pollution and conserve the natural resource from depletion.