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Valorization of Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate as a Partial Fine Aggregate Replacement in Concrete: An Experimental Assessment of Fresh and Hardened Properties
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Researchers tested using crushed waste plastic bottles (PET) in place of some sand in concrete. As more plastic was added, the concrete became less workable, lighter, and weaker, but mixes with up to 4% plastic still met standards for lightweight, non-structural building uses.
The escalating accumulation of plastic waste, particularly Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), poses a significant environmental challenge, especially in developing regions with inadequate waste management systems. This study investigated the valorization of Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate (WPET) as a partial substitute for fine aggregate in concrete production, with a view to addressing both plastic waste disposal and the depletion of natural aggregate resources. WPET sourced from industrial plastic waste was collected, mechanically crushed, washed, and characterized through sieve analysis and specific gravity determination to assess its suitability as a lightweight aggregate prior to incorporation into concrete mixes. Concrete cubes were cast at a 1:2:4 mix ratio, with WPET substituting fine aggregate at 1%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% by weight, using both washed gravel and crushed granite as coarse aggregates. Slump, density, and compressive strength tests were conducted at curing ages of 7, 14, 21, and 28 days to evaluate the fresh and hardened properties of the resulting concrete, with results benchmarked against relevant British Standard specifications. Findings revealed a progressive decline in workability, density, and compressive strength with increasing WPET content, attributable to the hydrophobic nature of plastic particles and their effect on bonding within the cement matrix. Nonetheless, specimens with lower replacement levels (up to 4%) met acceptable thresholds for lightweight and non-structural applications. The study concludes that WPET can serve as a viable partial fine aggregate substitute within optimized replacement limits, offering a practical pathway for plastic waste valorization, reduction of environmental pollution, conservation of natural aggregates, and promotion of sustainable construction practices.
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Comparison of Concrete Properties Utilizing Expanded Polysterene beads and Shredded PET Bottle Particles as Fine Aggregate Replacement
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Researchers tested concrete made with recycled plastic (expanded polystyrene beads and shredded PET bottle particles) replacing some sand. As more plastic was added, the concrete got weaker and lighter, but resisted water absorption better. Only one mix, with 5% burnt PET, met the strength standard for structural lightweight concrete.
Experimental Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete with Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate by Plastic Waste
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Researchers partially replaced fine aggregate in concrete mixtures with processed PET and other waste plastic particles and found an optimal replacement level that preserved acceptable compressive and tensile strength while reducing density, beyond which plastic-to-cement bonding degraded mechanical performance, suggesting a viable route for incorporating plastic waste into lightweight non-structural construction.
Mechanical, Thermal, and Non-Destructive Evaluation of Concrete Incorporating Recycled PET Bottle Aggregates
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Researchers incorporated recycled PET bottle aggregates into concrete at up to 30% replacement of natural aggregate, finding that 10% fine PET slightly improves compressive strength while higher substitutions reduce strength by up to 31%, though thermal conductivity drops by up to 42%, making PET-based concrete promising for lightweight insulating applications.
Potential use of PET and PP as partial replacement of sand in structural concrete
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Researchers tested whether PET and polypropylene plastic waste could partially replace sand in structural concrete, evaluating the physical and mechanical properties of the resulting material. Using post-consumer plastic in construction is one strategy for diverting plastic from the waste stream and preventing it from breaking down into environmental microplastics.
Mechanical properties studying in concrete through PET plastic and rubber waste integration in mixture
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Researchers incorporated recycled PET plastic and rubber tire waste as partial replacements for fine and coarse aggregates in concrete mixes at substitution rates up to 60%, finding that while compressive strength and density declined with higher replacement ratios, the resulting lightweight concrete could reduce structural dead loads and offers a viable outlet for polymeric waste in non-load-bearing applications.
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