Evaluation of the Mechanical Strength of a Concrete Modified with PET Fibers from Post-Consumer Bottles

The creation of sustainable hydraulic concrete from the use of waste materials, such as PET bottles, whose performance is better than the conventional concrete, has been a great challenge worldwide within the construction industry. This article shows a study on the application of PET fibers resulting from the recycling of post-consumer bottles, which will help increase their physical and mechanical behavior. Two concrete mixtures were made: a control mixture (M-C), with the proportions of a conventional concrete and a second mixture, adding 0.8% of PET fibers with respect to the cement mass (PR-0.8). Tests of electrical resistivity, ultrasonic pulse velocity, compressive strength, tensile strength and flexural strength were performed at the ages of 7 and 28 days. The results showed a slight improvement in the mechanical behavior of the PR-0.8 mixture, in contrast to the M-C mixture, given that a non-sudden failure occurs; while that the tests of electrical resistivity and pulse velocity indicate that the concrete produced is of good quality and durable.