Experimental Investigation for the Feasible Applications of Processed Recyclable Plastic Waste in Construction Sector

Abstract

Plastics have become an integral part of modern lifestyle due to its availability in various forms leading to increased generation of plastic waste. The major problem with waste plastics on disposal is due to their non-biodegradable nature that affects the environment in longer run. Recycling of plastics is the best practice to reduce the detrimental effects on environment. Options for the recycling are converted into raw material for the industry, fuel production, and utilization as construction material. Utilization of recycled plastics in construction sector provides ecological and economical benefits, due to increasing demand for building materials. The present work investigates the feasible applications for the utilization of processed recyclable waste plastic materials in construction sector. Materials such as plastic coarse aggregate (PCA) and plastic fine aggregate (PFA) were processed from the plastic bottles generated in the university campus. The application of these materials in areas such as concrete production, block manufacturing, pavement construction, and soil stabilization has been studied. The results were compared with natural fine aggregate (NFA) and natural coarse aggregate (NCA). Experimental results for PCA suggest that physical and mechanical properties proved to be in conformance with conventional NCA, for applications such as concrete production and pavement construction. The properties of PFA for the replacement of natural fine aggregate in pavement construction and soil stabilization has been studied through Marshall stability test (as 100% replacement to NFA) and CBR value (as 10, 20, and 30% replacement of NFA). The results of aggregate properties indicated the conformance of PFA with natural sand. The results of CBR test indicate that PFA has proved to enhance the CBR value of black cotton up to 20% replacement. Blocks manufactured with PFA (as 100% replacement to NFA) have shown better properties for application in framed structure. Marshall stability test results indicated that presence of PFA has enhanced the load resistance of the specimen, the results of air voids, voids filled with bitumen, and flow values indicate that addition of PFA enhances the durability, shear strength, and fatigue resistance improving the life of pavement.