Usage potential of melt processed plastic pellets as a substitute to fine aggregate in porous concretes

Abstract

Porous concrete (PC) has been used for over 30 years. Because of its high porosity, the most common usages have been in the area of storm water management, but have been limited to use in pavements with low volume traffic, because of its low compressive strength compared to conventional concrete. Domestic and industrial plastic waste management has posed a serious challenge to engineers and scientists today. In this study an attempt is made to utilize plastic waste (melt processed) from small industries as a substitute for fine aggregate (up to 10%) in producing porous concretes. The recycled plastic (melt processed) was produced by drawing industrial and domestic waste plastic into long strands which were cut to small pieces forming granules. The plastic granules (pellets) are used as substitute to sand in this investigation. This experimental investigation reports the scope for plastic waste utilization as a substitute for fine aggregate and its influence on properties like porosity, permeability, compressive strength and tensile strength of porous concretes. © 2012 CAFET-INNOVA TECHNICAL SOCIETY. All rights reserved.