Experimental investigation on the effects of recycled aggregate on fracture behavior of polymer concrete

The sustainable management of solid wastes has stimulated the metallurgical and foundry industries to look for safe applications for these wastes. The fracture behaviour of polymer concrete (PC) manufactured using recycled foundry waste as a substitute for fresh material was evaluated. The recycled foundry sand is contaminated with polymer resin from the mould making process. Epoxy and unsaturated polyester resins were used as the binder as a cement substitute. The fracture energy, fracture toughness and crack tip opening displacement, CTOD, were determined. The use of recycled sand increases fracture toughness and leads to a fracture energy similar to that of OPC concrete, showing that it is an excellent alternative raw material.