Mechanical and Microstructural Analysis of Cement Mortar Mixes Using PET Plastic Waste

Abstract

In the Modern era, construction activities continuously increase as a result of urbanization and hence have a huge demand for natural materials to fulfil the needs. Due to this, the extraction of beds at a large scale is required to excavate the natural aggregate and thus it disturbs our precious environment. Parallel to this, there are a lot of waste materials like PET plastic waste available in the surrounding which has the potential to substitute the fine and coarse aggregate by forming a durable structure. Sustainable disposal of industrial waste is not an easy task as it contaminates the natural sources of water such as rivers, lakes, ponds and also depletes the land area by dumping over it. The present work draws an overview to remove the mentioned issue by effective utilization of PET plastic waste by performing physical, chemical, mechanical, and microstructure analysis in cement mortar mixes. A total ten cement mortar mixes of Rich mix mortar (1:3) and Lean mix mortar (1:6) proportions (each of five) were prepared by substituting PET plastic waste [sizes 1mm (68%), 2mm (22%), 3mm (6%) and 4mm (4%)] over fine aggregate at a replacement level from 0% to 20% at an interval of 5% to evaluate the various important properties like specific gravity, bulk density (loose), fineness modulus, compressive strength, flexural strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity parameters etc. A positive outcome is obtained at a 5% replacement level due to dense homogeneous mortar mix and improved workability. It also enhances strength parameters through which the rheological characters of mortar mixes are sustained. Internal structural analysis is performed by microstructure tests like X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) methods on raw material. Utilization of PET as a partial replacement for conventional river sand may have an opportunity to preserve over natural resources with alternative building materials. The finding represents that all PET-based mortar mixes may be incorporated in plaster work of structural walls, column, etc.