Reuse of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) in concrete production

Abstract

The use of plastic waste as a replacement for natural aggregates in cement composites can solve the problem of the disposal of waste plastics sustainably. This study aims to investigate and compare the impact of using Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) in concrete production to partially replace fine natural aggregate in concrete production by analyzing the physical and mechanical properties of both fresh and hardened concrete in terms of workability, density and compressive strength. Concrete mixtures containing PE was prepared as a partial volumetric replacement for fine aggregate with substitution levels of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% and 100%. The tests were conducted on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, 42 and 56. The density values of the LDPE-based concrete decreased with the increase in LDPE aggregate. Therefore, can be considered lightweight concrete. The compressive strength of concrete at various ages is reduced as the quantity of plastic in concrete increases. As the PE replacement ratio in concrete increased, the compressive strength also declined. Up to 5% replacement on days 3, 7, 14, 28 and 42 gave 21.30, 22.07, 23.40, 23.38 and 20.50 MPa.  Equally, up to 10% replacement at 7, 14 days respectively gave 20.23 and 23.42 respectively.   These are acceptable physical and mechanical properties of concrete for structural purposes