Abstract

The increasing accumulation of plastic waste (PW) and its low recycling rates pose serious environmental challenges. This study investigates the replacement of coarse aggregate (CA) with polycarbonate PW at levels of 20%, 30%, and 40% in concrete prisms (100×50×400 mm), tested under drop-weight impact loading and validated with finite element method (FEM) simulations. PW incorporation reduced workability (slump from 165 mm to 35 mm) and bulk density (2215 to 1930 kg/m³), alongside compressive strength losses of 25-49% and modulus reductions of 15-34%. However, PW30% demonstrated the highest impact resistance, with a peak Tup load of 14,170 kN at 0.6 ms, bending load of 4152 kN, and inertial load of 5084 kN, confirming its superior energy absorption. Dynamic-to-static ratios also improved with PW, with fracture energy increasing from 3.05 to 10.1. FEM
results confirmed these behaviors, particularly for PW30%. Overall, PW30% offers an optimal balance of ductility and toughness, suggesting its suitability for impact-resistant and lightweight applications.