EXPERIMENTAL DETERMINATION OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE

Abstract

The use of construction and demolition waste as recycled aggregates for the construction is not a new concept but due to non-availability of scientific analysis of mechanical and physical properties of these aggregates the use of such material is limited. This project has analyzed the mechanical properties of the plaster waste and compared it with the sand used for the construction. A laboratory study was performed to assess the geotechnical parameters of a plaster waste collected from the site of Pachsheel Greens (Noida).The experimental investigations for physical properties includes particle size distribution, standard proctor test, specific gravity direct shear tests and C.B.R. test in soaked and unsoaked condition at various moisture content All the above tests were conducted according to there respective IS code. After observing the results of various tests it was found that the particle size distribution of plaster waste was resembled with the sand. Both the material has moisture content and dry density relation ship, also resembling each other but the moisture content of plaster waste is slightly higher then that of sand and maximum dry density is lower than that of sand. The angle of friction which was observed from the direct shear test having the a very little variation of 0.220 .From C.B.R. test it is observed that all the soaked specimen have lower C.B.R. value as compare to unsoaked specimen at corresponding moisture content. It is also observed that the plaster waste came out to be a better material at the places of poor quality control. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the plaster waste has similar engineering properties to those of the sand and can be used as replacement to sand where the above tests are deciding criteria for using the construction waste.