Durability Properties of Concrete with HDPE-Plastic Aggregate

This study investigates the durability properties of recycled HDPE plasto-sand coarse aggregate concrete (RHPSCAC) by incorporating high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic waste into the aggregate mix. HDPE was melted at 390°C and combined with sand in 1:1 (500 g of recycled HDPE plastic and 500 g of sand) and 1:2 (500 g of recycled HDPE plastic and 1,000 g of sand) ratios, then used as coarse aggregate in concrete mixes with varying water-cement (w/c) ratios of 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, and 0.55. The density of concrete ranges from 2,100 to 2,200 kg/m3. Durability was assessed through tests such as water absorption, sorptivity, permeability, fire resistance, and rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT). Results indicate that RHPSCAC with a w/c ratio of 0.40 exhibited the best performance across all tests, including reduced moisture penetration and fluid permeability, superior fire resistance, and strong resistance to chloride ion penetration. The study concludes that RHPSCAC can be optimized for specific durability requirements by adjusting the w/c ratio, showcasing its potential as a sustainable, durable material for construction and providing an effective solution for recycling plastic waste.