Journal Published Online: 30 September 2013
Volume 42, Issue 1

Assessing the Adequacy of Concrete Mixes Utilizing PCB Powders

CODEN: JTEVAB

Abstract

Solid waste management is becoming a sustainability issue in highly industrialized societies. Recycling or reuse of solid waste is desirable to reduce the adverse impact of this material. The vast annual production of printed circuit board (PCB) waste in Taiwan creates environmental concerns because of the leaching of toxic chemicals into landfills. This study assessed the feasibility of utilizing resin powder and glass fiber recycled from PCB waste as a partial replacement of fine aggregate (natural river sand) in concrete. It also established a comprehensive test program to promote the use of recycling waste for waste reduction. The crushed powder of PCB mixed with standard mortar in fixed volumetric mix proportion, as sand:cement:water = 2.75:1:0.485 was the control group to test the fresh and hardened properties of the material. The test results of hardened specimen properties showed that the addition of PCB resin powder should be less than 10 %, and the addition level of glass fiber should be less than 2 %. The engineering properties and durability matched those of the cement mortar of the standard control group. Because toxic chemicals released from PCB powder and hardened concretes were found to be less than the tolerance limit in the local ordinances, waste PCB can be used in cement mortar, providing an alternative for recycling industrial waste PCB.

Author Information

Huang, Hsiu
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Taipei Chenshih Univ. of Science and Technology, Peitou, 112 Taipei, TW
Hwang, Chao-Lung
Dept. of Construction Engineering, National Taiwan Univ. of Science and Technology, 106 Taipei, TW
Peng, Sheng
Dept. of Civil Engineering and Environmental Informatics, Minghsin Univ. of Science and Technology, Hsin-Fong, Hsin-Chu County 304, TW
Wang, Edward
Dept. of Civil Engineering and Environmental Informatics, Minghsin Univ. of Science and Technology, Hsin-Fong, Hsin-Chu County 304, TW
Chen, Chun
Dept. of Construction Engineering, National Taiwan Univ. of Science and Technology, 106 Taipei, TW
Chiang, Chu
Dept. of Interior Design, Tungnan Univ., Shenkeng Dist., 22202 New Taipei, TW
Pages: 12
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JTE20120218
ISSN: 0090-3973
DOI: 10.1520/JTE20120218