Investigation of Strength Properties of M25 Concrete with Partial Fine Aggregate Replacement Using Plastic and Incorporation of Gum

Abstract

This investigation examines the strength properties of M25 grade concrete by partially replacing sand with polypropylene (PP) plastic at 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% with the incorporation of 0.5% Badam gum by weight of cement as a modifying agent. The main aim of this study is to assess how these modifications influence the compressive and tensile strength of concrete. The experimental process involved casting and testing cube and cylinder specimens after a 28-day curing period. Findings reveal a gradual decline in compressive strength with an increase in plastic replacement, mainly attributed to the poor adhesion between plastic particles and the cement matrix. However, at 10% plastic replacement with 0.5% Badam gum addition, the compressive strength was comparable to the reference mix, suggesting that Badam gum enhances interfacial bonding and partially offsets strength reduction caused by plastic. Conversely, splitting tensile strength showed a consistent decline across all plastic replacement levels, even with gum addition, indicating that the positive effects of gum are more pronounced in compression rather than tension. This study highlights the potential of Badam gum as a natural strength-enhancing additive in plastic-modified concrete and suggests further research into optimizing its dosage and exploring alternative reinforcement strategies to improve tensile performance.