Compressive strength of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) filled with concrete containing recycled concrete aggregate / Mimi Aznira Mohamad

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) filled column or better known as recycled concrete aggregate filled tubes (RCFT) is one of the composite columns applied in the construction. This concept has evolved from the use of concrete filled tubular members. In this study, the main objective is to determine the compressive strength of RCFT columns with incorporations of varies percentage of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). This RCFT columns are tested to determine the compressive strength with the different percentages of RCA in concrete filled PVC tubes. Axial shortening in the columns is investigated. There are three main activities involved which are material preparation, preliminary testing and RCFT column testing. Similar size of PVC tubes is used which are 300 mm in length and 150 mm in diameter. It is observed that the average experimental ultimate compressive load, Nexp, is higher than theoretical ultimate compressive load, Ntheo, as per EC4 where the difference is in range of 25 % - 42 %. Lower percentage of RCA resulted in the increment of ultimate compressive load and failure mechanism is observed which is local buckling. RCFT shows a good potential to be utilized as a composite column system especially in structure with low load bearing capacity such as utility poles, lamp posts and signboards.