We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Impact of using recycled plastic particles as a partial replacement of aggregates on the mechanical performance of the eco-friendly concrete
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that mixing small amounts of recycled plastic waste into concrete (replacing sand or gravel) can create lighter, still-usable building material, best suited for things like sidewalks and paving blocks rather than load-bearing structures. This matters because it offers a practical way to reuse plastic waste instead of sending it to landfills or letting it break down into microplastics that pollute soil, water, and eventually our food and bodies. However, this is a construction materials study, not a health study, so it doesn't directly test whether the concrete itself sheds microplastics over time.
The current work contributes to the protection of natural raw resources and reduces environmental effects by recycling plastic in sustainable construction techniques. By investigating the exact transition point from a strength reducer to a functional benefit of plastic waste in the production of lightweight concrete, using coarse aggregates versus fine aggregates separately under the same curing conditions. Recycled polyethene (PE) waste, produced through thermomechanical extrusion and pelletizing, was used as a partial replacement of coarse and fine aggregates at 2.5%, 7.5% and 15% by weight. Seven concrete mixes of M25 were cast and tested for compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and absorption rate after 7 and 28 days of curing. Findings indicated that the highest workability was achieved by replacing 15% of plastic particles with coarse aggregate (about 135 mm), while 2.5% PW had the lowest workability (about 45 mm) by replacing fine aggregate. While the highest compressive strength was obtained with a 2.5% replacement of fine aggregate, reaching about 26.22 MPa. In contrast, it decreased more severely when reaching 15% by about 21.11 MPa, compared to replacing coarse aggregates with plastic particles by about 22.44 MPa. Furthermore, substituting sand with recycled plastic particles at 2.5% replacement level resulted in the best splitting tensile strength of 1.69 MPa. It is noted that substituting coarse aggregates reduced the density more than fine aggregates, with the peak reduction rate being 3.66% for cube specimens after replacing 15% of coarse aggregates at 28 days, making it the most efficient replacement for producing lightweight concrete. All replacement levels of sand increase absorption rates by 10.4% over coarse aggregate. Therefore, these results are highly transferable to field conditions for non-structural applications such as pedestrian pathways and paving blocks, provided that workability is optimized.
More Papers Like This
Utilization of plastic waste as replacement of natural aggregates in sustainable concrete: effects on mechanical and durability properties
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested concrete made with recycled polyethylene and PET plastic aggregates substituted for natural sand and gravel, finding that while plastic additions reduced compressive strength and increased water permeability, they improved impact resistance and chloride resistance, with PET concrete showing no microplastic leaching.
Effect of Plasticizer on Workability and Compressive Strength of Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concrete
AI summary Read the abstract
Note: this paper is about construction materials engineering, not human health, it doesn't involve microplastics or health outcomes. Researchers found that adding a small amount (1%) of a chemical additive called plasticizer to concrete made from recycled construction debris actually makes it stronger and easier to work with than regular concrete, while adding too much weakens it. This matters for sustainable building practices, since it means we can reuse demolished concrete waste instead of mining new materials, but it doesn't directly relate to human health or microplastics.
Performance evaluation of PET-modified concrete with PET granules and manufactured sand as fine aggregates
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that mixing shredded plastic bottles into concrete, replacing some sand, actually made it stronger when used at the right amount (2%). This matters because it gives plastic waste a useful second life instead of it sitting in landfills or being burned, which releases toxic fumes harmful to human health.
Effect of Plasticizer on Workability and Compressive Strength of Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concrete
AI summary Read the abstract
Note: This paper is about construction engineering, not human health, it doesn't involve microplastics or health impacts. Researchers found that adding a small amount (1%) of a chemical additive to concrete made from recycled construction waste made it stronger and easier to work with, while adding too much actually weakened it. This matters for sustainable building practices, since it shows we can reuse demolished concrete instead of mining new materials, without sacrificing quality, but the dosage has to be just right.
Utilization of Recycled Plastic Waste as Partial Substitute of Fine Aggregate in Eco-Friendly Concrete
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested recycled plastic waste as a replacement for fine aggregate (sand) in concrete, mixing it in at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. Concrete with 10% plastic waste had the highest compressive strength, while plain concrete (0%) had the lowest, and strength declined slightly at 20% and 30%.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.