The Effect of Adding Minerals on Plastic Aggregate to Lightweight Concrete

Abstract

This research was conducted by making several concrete mixtures using artificial aggregates from PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic and mineral mixtures. Four types of minerals were used; namely, fine sand, fly ash, rice husk ash, and Portland cement. Each of these powders was added to the plastic melt during the aggregate manufacturing process. Five types of aggregates were produced including one artificial aggregate without any mineral addition. The initial test results showed that for all minerals, the use of artificial aggregates as a substitute for natural coarse aggregates tended to increase the compressive strength of concrete when compared to the reference concrete, i.e. concrete with pure PET aggregate (without added minerals). At this step, it was seen that the addition of cement and rice husk ash to PET aggregates provided the highest concrete compressive strength. In the next stage, by adding cement content to the concrete mixture, artificial aggregates from PET plastic were able to produce concrete that meets the requirements as structural lightweight concrete, both as a substitute for natural coarse aggregates and for the overall natural aggregates (fine and coarse aggregates).