By: Shrestha Didwaniya, Shashwat Srivastava, and Shakti Kumar
1Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Bansal institute of Engineering and Technology, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
2Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Bansal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
3Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Bansal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Abstract
Bakelite, a synthetic thermosetting polymer, has been extensively utilized in the production of various
components across different industries in India. As the demand for Bakelite continues to rise, so does
the challenge of managing its waste, which poses significant environmental concerns due to its non
biodegradable nature. In this context, utilizing Bakelite waste as a partial substitute for coarse
aggregate in concrete presents an innovative and environmentally sustainable approach to waste
management. This method not only helps to alleviate the problems associated with the disposal of
Bakelite but also contributes to the broader objective of reducing plastic waste in landfills. Research
studies indicate that increasing the percentage of Bakelite incorporated into concrete mixes results in
a notable decrease in both the compressive strength and density of concrete blocks, alongside a
reduction in their thermal conductivity. These changes in mechanical properties raise important
questions about the viability of using Bakelite waste in construction applications. Moreover, the
challenges associated with Bakelite disposal, including stringent regulations against landfilling and
open burning due to the harmful emissions released, have prompted researchers to explore
alternative avenues for repurposing waste Bakelite within the civil engineering sector. In this study,
we focus on a comprehensive examination of the mechanical properties of concrete that incorporates
Bakelite waste as a partial substitute for coarse aggregate. Through systematic testing and analysis,
we aim to determine the optimal percentage of Bakelite that can be used in concrete mixes while still
maintaining acceptable strength and durability characteristics. Our findings will contribute valuable
insights into the feasibility of using Bakelite waste in concrete production, ultimately supporting
sustainable construction practices and promoting environmental conservation efforts in the industry.
Citation:
Refrences:
1. Cohen B. Urbanization in developing countries: current trends, future projections, and key
challenges for sustainability. Technol Soc. 2006;28(1–2):63–80.
2. Agrawal US, Wanjari SP, Naresh DN. Characteristic study of geopolymer fly ash sand as a
replacement to natural river sand. Constr Build Mater. 2017;150: 681–688.
3. Huseien GF, Sam ARM, Shah KW, Budiea AMA, Mirza J. Utilizing spend garnets as sand
replacement in alkali-activated mortars containing fly ash and GBFS. Constr Build Mater.
2019;225:132–145.
4. Gebremariam AT, Vahidi A, Di Maio F, Moreno-Juez J, Vegas-Ramiro I, Łagosz A, Mróz R,
Rem P. Comprehensive study on the most sustainable concrete design made of recycled concrete,
glass, and mineral wool from C&D wastes. Construction and Building Materials. 2020;
264:121697. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121697.
5. Bidabadi MS, Akbari M, Panahi O. Optimum mix design of recycled concrete based on the fresh
and hardened properties of concrete. J Build Eng. 2020;32:101483.
6. Bakelite: The First Synthetic Plastic. Science Museum Blog. [Online]. Available:
https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/bakelite-the-first-synthetic-plastic/
7. Klun B, Rozman U, Ogrizek M, Kalčíkova G. The first plastic produced, but the latest studied in
microplastics research: The assessment of leaching, ecotoxicity, and bioadhesion of Bakelite
microplastics. Environ Pollut. 222;307:119454.
8. Dhunna R, Khanna R, Mansuri I, Sahajwalla V. Recycling waste Bakelite as an alternative carbon
resource for ironmaking applications. ISIJ Int. 2014;54(3):613–619.
9. Crespy D, Bozonnet M, Meier M. 100 years of Bakelite, the material of a thousand uses. Angew
Chem Int Ed. 2008;47(18):3322–3328.
10. Canopoli L, Fidalgo B, Coulon F, Wagland ST. Physico-chemical properties of excavated plastic
from landfill mining and current recycling routes. Waste Manag. 2018;76:55–67.
11. Al-Hadithi AI, Hilal NN. The possibility of enhancing some properties of self-compacting
concrete by adding waste plastic fibers. J Build Eng. 2016;8:20–28.
12. Kumar DVN, Raju PMG, Avinash P, Rambabu G. A study on compressive strength of concrete
by partial replacement of coarse aggregate with coconut shell and with addition of fiber. Int J Civ Eng Res. 2017;8(1):57–68.
13. Parveen S, Dhillon V. Alternate construction materials & their comparisons with regular concrete.
Int J Innov Res Sci Eng Technol. 2017;6(6):3444–3449.
14. World
Construction
Aggregates,
Freedonia
Group.
[Online].
Available
at
https://www.freedoniagroup.com/World-Construction-Aggregates.html
15. Akhtar A, Sarmah AK. Construction and demolition waste generation and properties of recycled
aggregate concrete: A global perspective. J Clean Prod. 2018;186:262–281.
16. Fediuk R. High-strength fibrous concrete of Russian Far East natural materials. Mater Sci Eng.
Far Eastern State University, Russia, 2016. doi: https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/116/1/012020.
17. Vandana M, John SE, Maya K, Sunny S, Padmalal D. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) of
hard rock quarrying in a tropical river basin—study from SW India. Environ Monit Assess.
2020;192.
18. Surendranath A, Ramana PV. Valorization of Bakelite plastic waste aimed at auxiliary
comprehensive concrete. Constr Build Mater. 2022;325:126851.
19. Ramana PV. Temperature effect and microstructural enactment on recycled fiber concrete. Mater
Today Proc. 2022;66:2626–2635.
20. Sasmitha SS, Uma RN. Study on Water Absorption and Compressive Strength of Paver Block
with Waste Bakelite. Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, India.
21. Clement M, Rohini K, Krishna Kumar P, Boopathi M. Mechanical Properties of Concrete with
Bakelite Aggregate. Rathinam Technical Campus, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
22. Murali K, Sambath K. Analysis of Compressive Strength in Concrete with Bakelite Aggregate
Replacement. Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, India.
23. Mohan R, Chakrawarthi V, Nagaraju TV, Avudaiappan S, Awolusi TF, Roco-Videla A, et al.
Study of compressive properties in concrete with waste Bakelite aggregate. Case Stud Constr
Mater. 2018;8:299–314.
24. Sudarshan DK, Vyas AK. Impact of fire on mechanical properties of concrete containing marble
waste. J King Saud Univ – Eng Sci. 2019;31(1)42–51.
25. Usahanunth N, Tuprakay D. Mechanical properties and application of waste Bakelite aggregate in
concrete. Case Stud Constr Mater. 2018;8:299–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2018.02.003
​:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}​:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
26. Raongjant W, Jing M, Khamput P. Lightweight concrete blocks by using waste plastic. Int J
Control Theory Appl. 2016;9(43).
