Investigation on pullout and shear behavior of recycled plastic rebar-concrete connection for mortar-free housing

Conventional construction materials and techniques offer major drawbacks in terms of emissions from cement processing and economic viability due to high material cost. Recycled plastic has emerged as a reliable material but its application as rebars in structural concrete and mortar-free housing applications is yet to be uncovered. Thus, this study evaluates the pull-out and shear anchorage characteristics of recycled HDPE plastic rebar for application in mortar-free construction. Various configurations have been considered based on influencing parameters namely, diameter, embedment, concrete mix and rebar type. The results reveal superior pull-out performance of ribbed rebars with a diameter of 19.05 mm having embedment depth 300 mm in a concrete mix of 1:2:4. However, fixed embedment depth of 100 mm in a concrete mix of 1:2:4 shows better shear anchorage performance of ribbed rebar having diameter of 12.70 mm. Empirical equations can accurately predict pull-out and shear anchorage strengths based on limited data set. Long-term straining behavior of recycled plastic rebar needs to be considered in future for real life implications in construction.