Optimization of Solid Waste Modified Concrete for Rigid Pavement Using Taguchi Orthogonal Array Design Method Approach

The exponential growth in infrastructural projects has led to a significant increase in concrete usage, resulting in the depletion of natural resources such as sand and rocks. This research focuses on investigating the properties of concrete containing pulverized plastic bottles, waste glass, and quartz, with a specific focus on their potential application in rigid pavements. The study involves evaluating the materials' physical and chemical composition, assessing the concrete's physical and mechanical properties, and analysing the microstructural characteristics. To achieve the objectives, waste glass powder, quartz powder, and waste plastic powder are selected as partial replacements for cement, while waste glass cullet is used as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in concrete production. A total of 144 samples, including beams, cylinders, and cubes, were produced through nine experimental runs. The study examines the compressive strength, flexural strength, and split tensile strength of the concrete by incorporating four conventional materials: waste glass powder (WGP), waste plastic powder (WPP), quartz powder (QP), and waste glass cullet (WGC). Varying percentages of these materials are added to the concrete mix, with WGP ranging from 0 to 20%, WPP from 0 to 40%, QP from 0 to 40%, and WGC from 0 to 50%. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and graphical representations. The research findings indicated that the compressive strength of the concrete decreases when the percentage of waste glass and waste plastic powder exceeds 25 and 20%, respectively, in the mix. The addition of waste glass cullet above 25% decreases the flexural strength, while the addition of quartz powder at 40% without exceeding enhances it. The incorporation of waste glass cullet at 25% was discovered to have the highest split tensile value when compared to the control mix. Overall, the concrete mix meets the requirements for grade M20, which is commonly used for structural concrete applications. The performance of the concrete is influenced by the varying percentages of conventional materials added to the mix.