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Use of plastic waste as recycled material in the concrete
Summary
This study investigated the mechanical properties of concrete incorporating recycled plastic waste as a partial aggregate substitute at varying proportions up to 50%. Results showed that compressive and flexural strengths increased with plastic content up to 30%, suggesting that plastic waste can serve as a functional and cost-effective material in construction applications.
In this study, we examined the effect of adding recycled plastics to concrete. The waste plastics were collected from a local market. The disposal of plastics is a major issue with many negative consequences. Plastic, being inorganic, does not change the chemical characteristics of concrete and has no effect on its quality or consistency, making it an ideal material for use in the construction industry, where it may help reduce plastic waste. Plastic has dual uses in concrete as a filler ingredient and as an additive to enhance the mechanical properties of the material. The concrete was prepared using five different amounts of aggregate substitution by volume: 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. Cubes and beams were cast, cured, and tested using a universal testing machine. A mixed proportion was made using the different ingredients used in the concrete. At 7, 21, and 28 d, the results showed that the compressive and flexural strengths increased as the percentage of plastic waste increased. Also, flexural strength improved with an increase in the proportion of plastic waste, reaching a maximum at 30%. These results highlight that, as plastic fiber decreases the quantity of industrial fibers needed in concrete, it is also proven to be more inexpensive.