Effect of Different Plastics on Mechanical Properties of Concrete

In this research work, five different types of post-consumer plastics were mechanically ground into fine aggregate, and each type was used to prepare 2 in. (50 mm) mortar cubes by partial volumetric replacement of the sand. The purpose is to evaluate the effect of the plastic type and its shape on the density and the compressive strength of concrete. The plastic products used in this study are usually not collected by curbside recycling facilities and are discarded in landfills or incinerated. The different types of plastics investigated were Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). A total of 180 cubes with 5%, 10%, and 15% replacement were prepared and tested for their densities at the age of 28 days and their compressive strengths at the ages of 7 and 28 days. This work concluded by proposing general equations to predict the reduction in the density and compressive strength of the mortar with the increment in the plastic replacement.