We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Influence of plastic waste addition on mechanical properties of cement mortars: An experimental study
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that mixing small amounts of ground-up PVC plastic waste (5-10%) into cement mortar actually made it stronger and lighter, offering a promising way to reuse plastic trash in construction instead of sending it to landfills. This matters for human health indirectly: finding practical uses for plastic waste in solid, bound materials like concrete could help reduce the amount of plastic that breaks down into microplastics in our environment, water, and food supply.
With the increasing need for sustainable construction materials and to cope with plastic waste management, a lot of research has been undertaken on the recycling of plastics in cementitious composites. An experimental investigation was performed in the current study to study the effect of adding ground polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waste particles on physical, mechanical and thermal properties of cement mortars. Fifteen series of mortar mixtures were made with four plastic contents (5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by cement weight) and three water-to-cement (w/c) ratios (0,35, 0,40 and 0.45). Workability, density, thermal conductivity and flexural and compressive strength were investigated by comprehensive tests in compliance with the applicable ASTM standards. The results obtained showed that plastic admixture induced a significant reduction in mortar density (up to 4.5%) and thermal conductivity (11%), representing its applicability as an artificial lightweight material. It was shown that workability was more affected by plastic dosage amount and w/c ratio according to the flow table test results, whereas moderate amounts of plasticizer enhanced workability. It was also found that the mechanical performance followed nonlinear behavior, where the flexural strength increased by approximately 43% and compressive strength up to 59% with a 5% plastic content achieved; thereafter, both performances decreased at higher concentrations due to the lack of strong interfacial bonding with particles and higher porosity. The findings demonstrate that the controlled incorporation of plastic waste at low dosages is mechanically feasible and effective, identifying 5-10% addition as the optimal range for improving mortar performance without compromising strength.
More Papers Like This
Mechanical Characteristics of Concrete with Partial Replacement of Sand by Waste PET Bottle Fibers
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that mixing small amounts of shredded plastic water bottles (2-2.5%) into concrete actually made it stronger, offering a clever way to reuse plastic waste instead of sending it to landfills. While this isn't directly about human health, it matters because it could reduce plastic pollution buildup in our environment—one path toward tackling the growing problem of plastic waste that eventually breaks down into microplastics found in our water, food, and even our bodies.
Use of Plastic Waste in Concrete : A Comprehensive Review on Strength of Concrete Mixture with Different Material
AI summary Read the abstract
This review paper looks at how recycled plastic waste (like plastic bottles) can be mixed into concrete for building construction, finding that small amounts can actually make concrete stronger and lighter while keeping plastic out of landfills. This matters for human health because reducing plastic waste means less of it breaking down into microplastics that end up in our soil, water, and eventually our bodies — though more research is needed to confirm plastic-infused concrete is safe and durable long-term before it's widely used.
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.
Waste Plastic as Partial Aggregate Replacement in Concrete: A Review of Mechanical, Durability and High-Temperature Performance
AI summary Read the abstract
This review pulls together existing studies on mixing shredded plastic waste into concrete instead of sand or gravel, finding that small amounts (about 5-15%) can actually make concrete stronger and more crack-resistant while helping keep plastic out of landfills and oceans. This matters for human health because reusing plastic waste this way locks it into solid concrete rather than letting it break down outdoors into microplastics that can contaminate water, soil, and eventually our food and bodies, though researchers note more testing is still needed on long-term safety and emissions before this becomes widespread practice.
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.
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.