EFFECT OF RECYCLED PLASTIC CONTENT AS FILLERS ON MECHANICAL AND DURABILITY PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE

Abstract

This research aims to experimentally investigate the effect of recycled high-density polyethylene plastic granules as a partial replacement of fine aggregate fillers (designated as RHDPE concrete) with the mechanical and durability properties of concrete. The experimental mixtures were divided into two groups with different water-cement ratios (W/C) of 0.5 and 0.6. The influential factors studied are RHDPE contents of 0%, 20%, 40%, and 60% by weight of natural sand and W/C. The eight mixtures were tested under workability, compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), electrical resistivity (ER), chloride penetration, and water permeability. RHDPE content has less influence on workability than its W/C. As the replacement ratio and W/C increased, the density, 28-day-compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and UPV value are observed decreasing trends. Moreover, the high testing value of ER, chloride penetration, and water permeability were also obtained. This means that using RHDPE as partial fillers in concrete causes a reduction in mechanical and durability properties. Nevertheless, the 20 percent of fillersì replacement presented an acceptable compressive strength of Thai Industrial Standard (TIS) no. 57-2530 for compressive strength of hollow load-bearing concrete masonry units at 5.5 MPa.