Utilization of industrial-based PVC waste powder in self-compacting concrete: A sustainable building material

Conventional experimental studies in concrete primarily focus on strength properties and microstructural analysis and ignore the environmental impacts of chosen waste in concrete. The present study addresses this critical research gap and uses industrial-based polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waste to demonstrate and meet the requirements of field practitioners and researchers. In the present study, various proportions of industrial-based PVC waste powder (PWP) (0–30%) by weight of cement were considered to partially replace cement in an M60 grade of self-compacting concrete (SCC). The first part of the study covers the fresh and strength properties of SCC, which was prepared using cement, sand, gravel, water, superplasticizer, SCM-like silica fume, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and PWP. In the second part of the study, the microstructure of various SCC mixes was investigated to understand the effects of PWP on the microstructure of the prepared SCC mixes. The optimum design mix for SCC was chosen based on extensive experimental and microstructural investigations. Further, a life cycle assessment was used to determine the influence of PWP on SCC usage from an environmental impact point of view for the optimized mixes. Considering all criteria, the results show that an SCC containing 5–10% PWP as a replacement for cement can be used. The present study establishes that using PWP in SCC is beneficial for the environment and can help lower the cost of SCC without compromising its strength and durability. •The fresh and strength properties of SCC made with PVC waste powder were assessed.•The evaluation of the microstructure of SCC made from PVC waste powder was observed.•An optimized amount of PVC waste powder was chosen for this SCC.•The life cycle analysis of this optimized SCC was demonstrated.