Briefing: Shear strength of concrete with E-waste plastic

This briefing paper presents results from an experimental investigation on the shear strength of concrete with E-waste plastic (high-impact polystyrene) as coarse aggregate. The coarse aggregate is partially replaced with different percentages of high-impact polystyrene by volume (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%). It is found that the shear strength is decreased with the increase of high-impact polystyrene in concrete. Even though a reduction in strength is observed, however, the high-impact polystyrene aggregate alters the brittle behaviour of concrete into ductile behaviour. At 50% replacement, 50% of strength retention in the concrete is observed. Therefore, high-impact polystyrene aggregate can be used as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate up to a certain percentage; this represents one possible solution to the E-waste problem and an alternative to using natural aggregate.