Journal of Advanced Cement & Concrete Technology

Volume 3 Issue 3

Strength and Durability Properties of Plastic Aggregate Concrete

and Its Structural Applicability- A Review
Aleesha Anna Saju1*, Dr. Smitha K K2
1
PG Student, 2Associate Professor
Department of Civil Engineering, Toc H Institute of Science and Technology, Arakkunnam,
Kerala, India.

*Corresponding Author
E-Mail Id:-achu1596@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The use of plastic wastes in concrete has gained attention all over the world. The addition or
partial replacement of aggregates by plastic wastes in concrete produce an economic
construction material. The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle wastes are widely used
nowadays and it can be utilized as aggregates in concrete. The plastic aggregate concrete
shows similar compressive strength development as conventional concrete and gives a
comparable compressive strength and increased toughness and impact strength. This type of
concrete displays more resistance to loads after crack formation. Reduction in water
absorption, increased chemical resistance and workability were observed in plastic
incorporated concrete. The elastic modulus of concrete depends on the compressive strength,
type of aggregate, water-cement ratio. The elastic modulus of different types of concrete
varies with its compressive strength but, not as same as that of the conventional concrete.
For structural application of plastic aggregate concrete, its elastic modulus has to be
evaluated. The inclusion of plastic aggregate concrete in construction industry is a great step
towards the sustainable development and green civil engineering concept.

Keywords:-Plastic aggregate concrete, PET bottle waste, Elastic modulus of concrete,

Compressive strength

INTRODUCTION produced with these aggregates. Plastic

The population growth leading to
increasing and unsustainable consumption
of natural resources results in excessive
production of construction and demolition
waste, which is a great concern for the
environment and economy. Plastic usage
increased substantially and this resulted in
huge waste generation. Plastic cannot be
dumped or thrown simply to landfills
because of its bulk and has slow
degradation rate. Use of waste materials as
aggregate in concrete production will
reduce the pressure on the exploitation of
natural resources. The inclusion of plastic
aggregate in concrete enhances some
properties like toughness, abrasion
behaviour. Lightweight concrete can be
waste is widely used in flexible pavement
construction and non-bearing wall
constructions for the buildings. The
incorporation of these plastic wastes in
structural elements is still not studied and
analyzed. Proper evaluation of the
modulus of elasticity and the deflection
characteristics of the plastic aggregate
concrete will help in reducing the
exploitation of nature. This will lead the
construction industry towards sustainable
and green construction.
PLASTIC AS AGGREGATE IN
CONCRETE
Rafiq Ahmad Pirzada et.al,[15] conducted
an experimental study on use of waste

HBRP Publication Page 1-6 2020. All Rights Reserved Page 1

 Journal of Advanced Cement & Concrete Technology
plastic as coarse aggregate in concrete
with admixture super plasticizer
polycarboxylate ether. 0,5,10,15,20
percentages of coarse aggregate were
replaced with plastic waste. Slump value
showed 62.5% increase on 20%
replacement of coarse aggregate with
plastic waste. 6.3% increase in 7day
compressive strength was observed on
15% replacement with plastic aggregates.
4.05% increase was observed in 28day
compressive strength on 15% replacement.
A 14.67% and 9.75% increase observed in
tensile and flexural strength respectively.
The use of superplasticizer increased the
bonding of plastic waste.
Lhakpa Wangmo, Thingh Tamang et.al,
(2017) and Subramani T et.al, [8]
conducted a study on use of plastics in
concrete as coarse aggregate. 0,10,15,20
percentages of coarse aggregate were
replaced with plastic wastes. On
replacement, 32.55% increase in 7day
compressive strength and 6% increase in
28day compressive strength was observed
for 10% replacement with plastic waste.
20.9% increase in split tensile strength was
observed for 10% replacement of coarse
aggregate. On 10% replaced concrete,
48.8% increase in flexural strength was
obtained.Replacement of coarse aggregate
with plastic wastes gives a comparable
strength with conventional concrete.
Mathew et.al, and Alqahatani et.al,
[14]conducted a study on recycled plastics
as coarse aggregate for structural
concrete.20,40,60,80,100% were replaced
with plastic waste in M20 grade of
concrete. Workability of 20% plastic
coarse aggregate concrete showed 9%
increase, which is due to the lower water
absorption rate of plastic aggregates.
27.4% increase in cube compressive
strength and 37.8% increase in cylinder
compressive strength was observed on
20% replacement with plastic aggregates.
3.7% and 13% reduction in flexural
HBRP Publication Page 1-6 2020. All Rights Reserved
Volume 3 Issue 3
strength and chloride penetration was
found respectively in plastic coarse
aggregate concrete, which is light weight
and durable.
Nabajyoti Saikiaa et.al, [10] conducted
study on waste polyethylene terephthalate
as an aggregate in concrete. Coarse flakes
(PC), fine fraction (PF), plastic pellets
(PP) were used in 0,5,10,15 percentages.
Development of compressive strength of
PET aggregate concrete was similar to
normal concrete. Plastic pellets showed
less reduction in 28day compressive
strength and was almost equal for all the
mixes. Tensile/compressive strength ratio
gives idea about toughness of concrete and
it was 49.38% higher for 15% PC
aggregate concrete than normal mix.
Concrete specimens with PET-aggregate
are able to withstand additional loading
after they crack.
Nabajyoti and Jorge de Brito[10] reviewed
the use of plastic waste as aggregate in
cement mortar and concrete preparation.
Plastic has low thermal conductivity and
high heat capacity comparing to natural
aggregates. Plastic content lowered the
workability and compressive strength of
concrete. Low strength is due to the low
bond strength of plastic. Higher water
absorption and gas permeability was
observed while plastic aggregate concrete
showed lower fresh and hardened density.
It exhibited high frost resistance and
durability. The plastic aggregates were
more susceptible to temperature than fine
natural aggregates.
Yun Wang Choi et.al, [19] studied the
characteristics of mortar and concrete
containing fine aggregate manufactured
from plastic wastes. 25,50,75%
replacement was done and a 16% increase
in flow value and porosity increased by
25% in mortar. Workability of plastic
aggregate concrete increased and a
comparable compressive strength values
Page 2
 Journal of Advanced Cement & Concrete Technology
were observed. Up to 25% replacement
with plastic waste was found acceptable.
Francisco Casanova-del-Angel et.al,
(2012) and Yun Wang Choi et.al, (2005)
[6] studied the effects of PET bottle
aggregates on concrete.Light weight
concrete was manufactured using this
aggregate which was 16% less dense than
normal concrete. PET bottle aggregates
gave better consistency to the mixture and
the slump value increased up to 52%. The
strength properties were affected and a
slightly lower values were observed for
compressive, tensile and flexural strengths.
Ankur C Bhogayata et.al, [3] studied the
impact strength, permeability and chemical
resistance of concrete mixed with
metallized plastic waste fibres. 5,10,20
mm fibres were used in this study and 1-
2.5% addition was done. Longer fibre
mixed concrete showed 28 to 40%
increase in impact resistance. Shorter fibre
concrete showed better crack resistance,
thus made 22% and 34% reduction in acid
ingress and sulphate ingress respectively.
16 to 27% reduction in oxygen
permeability and 8 to 17% reduction in
chloride ingress were observed. Shorter
fibres reduced corrosion of steel bars in
concrete up to 10%.
IMPORTANCE OF EVALUATION OF
MODULUS OF ELASTICITY IN
DIFFERENT CONCRETES
Alsalman Ali et.al, [1] evaluated modulus
of elasticity of ultra-high-performance
concrete.Ultra- high-performance
concretes are highly durable and has high
compressive and tensile strength. Data
were collected from literatures and also
tested to evaluate its accuracy and the
accuracy depends on the size of collected
data. When compressive strength increased
elastic modulus also increased but not at
the same rate as normal concrete.
Compressive strength varied from 124-
162MPa and elastic modulus from 37-46
GPa. New equation was proposed to
HBRP Publication Page 1-6 2020. All Rights Reserved
Volume 3 Issue 3
predict elastic modulus with reasonable
prediction accuracy;
𝐸𝐶 = 8010𝑓𝑐 0.36 , 𝐸𝐶 in MPa
KlaraKrizova et.al,[7] evaluated modulus
of elasticity of different types of concrete
compared with Eurocode 2. It
demonstrates impossibility of elastic
modulus derivation from table values and
thereby shows need for different equations
for different concretes. They used different
cement, aggregates of different sizes (4-
8,8-16,11-22,16-22mm). Measured elastic
modulus showed variations from
Eurocode. With evaluated concrete the
growth of 3000–4000 N/mm2 was found in
elastic modulus and uniquely even 6000
N/mm2. The growth of modulus of
elasticity essentially depends on
compressive strength increase though this
assumption is not binding for all types of
concretes.
Rui Vasco Silva et.al, [16] conducted a
study on establishing a relationship
between modulus of elasticity and
compressive strength of recycled
aggregate concrete. Test results from 121
publications over a period of 43 years were
collected and a statistical analysis is done
with the purpose of understanding the loss
of modulus of elasticity based on quality
and replacement level of recycled
aggregates. Up to 30% replacement of
recycled aggregates has minimal effects on
elastic modulus. Use of recycled
aggregates as coarse aggregate and fine
aggregates showed 15% and 40%
reduction in elastic modulus. Equations
from different studies were compared.
𝑓𝑐 0.3
𝐸𝐶 = 12.96(10) (50% replacement)
𝑓𝑐 0.3
𝐸𝐶 = 18.26 (10) (100% replacement)
NejadiShami et.al, [13] conducted study
on empirical models and design codes in
prediction of modulus of elasticity of
concrete. Evaluation and comparison of
analytical models to estimate elastic
modulus in normal strength concretes were
Page 3
 Journal of Advanced Cement & Concrete Technology
done in this study.The models including
the density effect give better estimation of
elastic modulus from compressive
strength. Accurate prediction of elastic
modulus is crucial and models in 35 codes
were analysed. The proposed model was
based on the equation EC = 9.19 fc 0.354 ,
gives good estimation of elastic modulus
of concrete for compressive strength from
20 -50MPa.
Bilir Turhan et.al,[4] Investigated the
performance of some empirical and
composite models for predicting the
modulus of elasticity of high strength
concretes incorporating ground pumice
and silica fume. Compressive strength and
unit weight of concrete was used to predict
elastic modulus by common empirical
models. Model predictions were then
compared to experimental elastic modulus
and it was found that prediction equations
depend on temperature, aggregate type,
w/c ratio. Better performance among the
models were selected with good prediction
abilities. Compressive strength is an
important parameter for predicting elastic
modulus of high strength concrete.
Vakhshouri Behnam et.al,[13] conducted
an analytical study on modulus of
elasticity of concrete in design codes and
empirical models. Evaluation and
comparison of the existing analytical
models to estimate the elastic modulus in
normal strength concrete and the proposal
and verification of a new model.
Conventional concrete in the compressive
strength range between 20 and 50 M Pa
were evaluated and the models presented
range predictions that were lower than the
experimental values.
MostofInejad D et.al,[9] and Nemati K M
et.al,[12] conducted a study on prediction
of the modulus of elasticity of high
strength concrete.45 mix proportions
including 0,5,10,15,20% of silica fume,
0.24,0.3,0.4 w/c ratios and limestone,
quartzite, andesite types of coarse
HBRP Publication Page 1-6 2020. All Rights Reserved
Volume 3 Issue 3
aggregates were analysed. Relation
between elastic modulus of coarse
aggregate and that of concrete is evaluated.
Mechanical properties of high strength
concrete depend on w/c ratio, silica fume
ratio, types of aggregates. Equations from
different codes were used and its
credibility was checked with new mixes
and a new relation was developed.
Equations were proposed based on
compressive strength.
𝐸𝐶 = 10.25𝑓𝑐 0.316 (limestone)
𝐸𝐶 = 8𝑓𝑐 0.352 (Andesite)
𝐸𝐶 = 10.75𝑓𝑐 0.312 (Quartzite)
CONCLUSION
Plastics can be used as a replacement for
aggregate in concrete mixture. This leads
to the reduction in the total weight of
concrete. The application of plastic waste
in concrete contributes to the production of
lightweight concrete. The development of
the compressive strength of plastic
aggregate concrete is similar to that of
conventional concrete. A slight decrease in
the compressive strength is observed in
resulting concrete. For maintaining the
strength factors and workability, the use of
admixture is advisable. The addition of
plastic flakesmake concrete more ductile.
The incorporation of plastic aggregate in
concrete improves the toughness
behaviour as well as durability properties.
The modulus of elasticity depends on the
type of aggregate, size of aggregate,
replacement level, curing, compressive
strength etc. Evaluation of modulus of
elasticity is very crucial and important for
the structural applicability of plastic
aggregate concrete.
REFERENCE
1. Alsalman, A., Dang, C. N., Prinz, G.
S., & Hale, W. M. (2017). Evaluation
of modulus of elasticity of ultra-high
performance concrete. Construction
and Building Materials, 153, 918-928.
2. Bhogayata, A. C., &Arora, N. K.
(2018). Impact strength, permeability
Page 4
 Journal of Advanced Cement & Concrete Technology
and chemical resistance of concrete
reinforced with metalized plastic
waste fibers. Construction and
Building Materials, 161, 254-266.
3. Bhogayata, A. C., &Arora, N. K.
(2018). Workability, strength, and
durability of concrete containing
recycled plastic fibers and styrene-
butadiene rubber latex. Construction
and Building Materials, 180, 382-395.
4. Bilir, T. (2016). Investigation of
performances of some empirical and
composite models for predicting the
modulus of elasticity of high strength
concretes incorporating ground
pumice and silica fume. Construction
and Building Materials, 127, 850-860.
5. Alqahtani, F. K., Ghataora, G., Khan,
M. I., Dirar, S., Kioul, A., & Al-
Otaibi, M. (2015). Lightweight
concrete containing recycled plastic
aggregates. Proceedings of the 2015
ICMEP, Paris, France, 13-14.
6. Casanova-del-Angel, F., &Vázquez-
Ruiz, J. L. (2012). Manufacturing
light concrete with PET
aggregate. International Scholarly
Research Notices, 2012.
7. Tamang, L. W. T., Wangmo, T.,
Darjay, K. T., Phuntsho, K. S.,
Namgyal, P., &Wangchuk, U. (2017).
Use of plastics in concrete as coarse
aggregate. Int. J. Educ. Appl. Res, 7,
9-13.
8. Tamang, L. W. T., Wangmo, T.,
Darjay, K. T., Phuntsho, K. S.,
Namgyal, P., &Wangchuk, U. (2017).
Use of plastics in concrete as coarse
aggregate. Int. J. Educ. Appl. Res, 7,
9-13.
9. Mostoufinezhad, D., &Nozhati, M.
(2005). Prediction of the modulus of
elasticity of high strength concrete.
10. Saikia, N., & De Brito, J. (2012). Use
of plastic waste as aggregate in
cement mortar and concrete
preparation: A review. Construction
and Building Materials, 34, 385-401.
11. Saikia, N., &Brito, J. D. (2013).
HBRP Publication Page 1-6 2020. All Rights Reserved
Volume 3 Issue 3
Waste polyethylene terephthalate as
an aggregate in concrete. Materials
Research, 16(2), 341-350.
12. Noguchi, T., &Nemati, K. M. (1995).
Relationship between compressive
strength and modulus of elasticity of
high strength concrete. Journal of
Structural and Construction
Engineering, 474(1), 1-10.
13. Vakhshouri, B., &Nejadi, S. (2019).
Empirical models and design codes in
prediction of modulus of elasticity of
concrete. Frontiers of Structural and
Civil Engineering, 13(1), 38-48.
14. Mathew, P., Varghese, S., Paul, T., &
Varghese, E. (2013). Recycled plastics
as coarse aggregate for structural
concrete. International Journal of
Innovative Research in Science,
Engineering and Technology, 2(3),
687-690.
15. Pirzada, R. A., Kalra, T., &Laherwal,
F. A. (2018). Experimental Study on
Use of Waste Plastic as Coarse
Aggregate in Concrete with
Admixture
SuperplasticizerPolycarboxylate
Ether. International Research Journal
of Engineering and Technology
(IRJET), 5(03), 558-563.
16. Silva, R. V., De Brito, J., &Dhir, R.
K. (2016). Establishing a relationship
between modulus of elasticity and
compressive strength of recycled
aggregate concrete. Journal of
Cleaner Production, 112, 2171-2186.
17. Subramani, T., &Pugal, V. K. (2015).
Experimental study on plastic waste as
a coarse aggregate for structural
concrete. International Journal of
Application or Innovation in
Engineering & Management
(IJAIEM), 4(5), 144-152.
18. Vakhshouri, B. (2018). Modulus of
Elasticity of Concrete in Design
Codes and Empirical Models:
Analytical Study. Practice Periodical
on Structural Design and
Construction, 23(4), 04018022.
Page 5
 Journal of Advanced Cement & Concrete Technology
19. Choi, Y. W., Moon, D. J., Kim, Y. J.,
&Lachemi, M. (2009). Characteristics
of mortar and concrete containing fine
aggregate manufactured from recycled
waste polyethylene terephthalate
bottles. Construction and Building
Materials, 23(8), 2829-2835.
HBRP Publication Page 1-6 2020. All Rights Reserved
Volume 3 Issue 3
20. Choi, Y. W., Moon, D. J., Chung, J.
S., & Cho, S. K. (2005). Effects of
waste PET bottles aggregate on the
properties of concrete. Cement and
concrete research, 35(4), 776-781.
Page 6