Influence of Recycled Plastic Incorporation as Coarse Aggregates on Concrete Properties
Open Access
- 29 March 2023
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in Sustainability
- Vol. 15 (7), 5937
- https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075937
Abstract
Plastic waste has increased significantly in recent years as a result of fast population growth and urbanization. Studies on the incorporation of plastic aggregates as a substitution for natural aggregates in concrete are needed to successfully reduce both adverse environmental impact and the depletion of natural resources. The objective of this research was to investigate the use of plastic as a partial substitution for natural coarse aggregates in concrete. For this purpose, seven concrete mixes were produced using 0, 10, 15, and 20% plastic coarse aggregates to replace natural aggregates with and without silica fume of similar replacement levels with cement. Fresh density, workability, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, stress–strain response, and Poisson’s ratio were observed to study the fresh as well as hardened properties of concrete mixtures. Indoor and outdoor thermal performance and thermo-gravimetric analysis were also investigated. The results revealed that the plastic aggregates’ incorporation improved the workability of concrete; however, it negatively influenced the fresh density and mechanical properties of concrete. The compressive and tensile strengths of plastic aggregate concrete without silica fume were reduced by 32 and 33%, respectively. The reduction in strength could be associated with the smooth texture of plastic aggregates. The addition of silica fume with plastic aggregates resulted in denser concrete and improved mechanical properties. In general, the performance of plastic aggregates as a partial replacement for natural aggregates was satisfactory, which suggests their possible use to produce eco-friendlier concrete.Funding Information
- Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) and National Science Research and Innovation Fund (051/2566)
This publication has 60 references indexed in Scilit:
- Influence of curing conditions on the durability-related performance of concrete made with selected plastic waste aggregatesCement and Concrete Composites, 2013
- Use of plastic waste as aggregate in cement mortar and concrete preparation: A reviewConstruction and Building Materials, 2012
- Physical and mechanical properties of mortars containing PET and PC waste aggregatesWaste Management, 2010
- Valorization of coarse rigid polyurethane foam waste in lightweight aggregate concreteConstruction and Building Materials, 2010
- Influence of content and particle size of waste pet bottles on concrete behavior at different w/c ratiosWaste Management, 2009
- Characteristics of mortar and concrete containing fine aggregate manufactured from recycled waste polyethylene terephthalate bottlesConstruction and Building Materials, 2009
- Properties of lightweight aggregate concrete prepared with PVC granules derived from scraped PVC pipesWaste Management, 2009
- Reuse of thermosetting plastic waste for lightweight concreteWaste Management, 2008
- Use of waste plastic in concrete mixture as aggregate replacementWaste Management, 2008
- Use of selected waste materials in concrete mixesWaste Management, 2007