Partial Replacement of Natural Sand with Plastic Waste and Artificial Sand in a Concrete Mix

Abstract: In India, most of plastics waste is abandoned and not recycled. This situation causes serious problems such as wastage of natural resources and environmental pollution. Solid waste management is one of the major environmental concerns in the world. In fact, a wide variety of waste materials can be utilized as inert in a cement matrix. In this study, plastic waste in the form of water-pouch (distilled water industry) and artificial sand both materials were used as a partial replacement of fine aggregates in a concrete mix. The aim of this study is to investigate the fresh and hardened concrete properties of the newly defined concrete mix. The mix was obtained for a varying percentage of plastic waste and artificial sand by 5, 10, 15 and 20 percent by weight of natural sand requirement. Result showed there was considerable improvement in compressive strength and workability up to 10 percent of replacement. The use of such concrete mixes in light weight concrete will considerably reduce the solid waste produced by plastics.

Keywords: Plastic waste, artificial sand, fresh concrete test and hardened concrete test