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Mechanical and hydraulic properties of pervious concrete
incorporating waste PET plastic
Eashan Pahsha a*, Rajesh Gupta a, Vinay Agrawal a
a Civil Engineering Department, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, India
Abstract
These days, building sustainable infrastructure requires human endurance. In this sense, the
idea of combining PET (polyethylene terephthalate) with pervious concrete is an intriguing field of
study. On the one hand, by enabling water to percolate through voids and lowering surface runoff,
pervious concrete helps to replenish groundwater levels. Conversely, waste PET plastic, which is
produced more frequently these days, is recycled in building projects. Consequently, this leads to two
main benefits: concrete's mechanical and hydraulic qualities are changed, and plastic waste is
effectively managed. This study looks at using leftover PET plastic fibres in varying amounts to create
pervious concrete and assesses the mechanical properties (compressive strength, flexural strength, split.
Porosity and permeability were also found to be correlated. Finally, an abrasion resistance test was
conducted. Various percentages of PET plastic fibres, specifically 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by
volume were used in place of natural coarse aggregates in this investigation while maintaining a
constant water-to-cement ratio of 0.34. Compressive strength, flexural strength, and split tensile
strength are all decreased when the amount of PET plastic in the concrete mix is increased. This decline
in trend was notable for compressive strength at 20% replacement and for flexure strength at 10%
replacement. Porosity, permeability, and abrasion resistance all indicated a progressive increase for
different replacement percentages at the same time. The results of the experiment revealed that the
porous concrete had an aggregate-to-binder ratio of 0.34 and a weight-to-cement ratio of 0.34.
Keywords: Pervious concrete; PET plastic fibers; mechanical property; permeability; sustainability
Introduction
A specific kind of concrete known as porous or pervious concrete has a structure that is graded
in gaps [1].Cement, water, little or no fine particles, and coarse aggregates are its main ingredients.
Porous concrete has a better void ratio than ordinary concrete because it has a higher proportion of
coarse aggregates than fine aggregates. This causes water to seep through the porous concrete. This
characteristic promotes surface runoff, offers an excellent and satisfactory drainage system, and has a
high level of noise absorption quality[2]. Porous concrete also reduces heat island effects, increases
flood resistance, recharges groundwater, and lessens waterway pollution[3]. In today's traditional
civilization, pervious concrete has several benefits since it can be an effective stormwater management
method. Furthermore, letting precipitation seep in can increase groundwater and aquifer recharge [4][5].
Researchers are drawn to the reorganisation and alteration of porous concrete compositions in order to
create environmentally friendly building materials and enhance sustainability in the development and
growth of infrastructure.
The societal consumption of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic is on the rise due to the fast pace
of urbanisation. PET, sometimes referred to as polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer that is widely
used in clothing, construction materials, rope, food packaging, and other products. It also makes up a
sizable amount of household waste. PET plastic is now widely used in packaging across nearly all
© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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industries[6]. There is a record-breaking increase in environmental contamination as a result of the
widespread disposal of PET plastic containers after only one usage. The census states that 250 billion
plastic containers are produced worldwide each year using 10 million tonnes of PET [7].
garbage made of PET plastic is regarded as non-biodegradable garbage. It continues to circulate
throughout the environment, harming wildlife, deteriorating aquatic life, and posing health risks to
humans (different plastic paper). According to the 2012 Convention on Biological Diversity assessment,
maritime plastic pollution poses a threat to 21% of seabird species, 45% of marine mammal species,
and sea turtles [8]. Furthermore, recycling discarded PET plastic is incredibly expensive. For this
reason, PET waste is the most abundant waste in the modern world. There is a concerning need for the
economical recycling of PET plastic waste in order to protect the environment by allowing appropriate
PET waste management practices[9][10].
According to a study by Ali et al. [11], adding EPS and PET plastic to porous concrete increased its
flexural strength and decreased its compressive strength. Additionally, it raised the pervious concrete's
permeability coefficient. Additionally, Borg et al.'s study [12] estimated that adding recycled PET fibres
to pervious concrete would result in a 0.5% to 8.5% decrease in its compressive strength. Additionally,
in the work of Saxena et al.[13], the flexural strength of the concrete made out of PET waste decreased
from 3.55 N/mm2 to 1.79 N/mm2, and the compressive strength decreased from 26.7 N/mm2 to 5.4
N/mm2.Similarly, it was predicted in a study by Cole et al.[14] that 25% replacement of waste plastic
fibres decreased compressive strength by 85%. Solanki and associates [15].
In this paper, the combination of waste PET plastic fibres and porous concrete is examined, and
the mechanical and hydraulic differences that arise are analysed. It's fashionable to combine PET waste
with porous concrete to promote efficient PET plastic waste management and sustainability in the
building sector. The experimental study also aims to come up with fresh ideas for promoting sustainable
infrastructure development.
1. Materials
Throughout the entire investigation, Ambuja Cement Product Limited's ordinary Portland
cement of grade 43 was employed, verifying IS 8112[16]. The following table lists the physical
characteristics of cement (see Table 1). This investigation confirmed IS 383[17] by using uniformly
sized crushed stones with a specified 20mm size as coarse aggregates. Additionally included are these
aggregates' physical characteristics (see Table 1). The shredded Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
plastic (see Fig. 2) from crushed local trash plastic bottles was used in subsequent experimental
operations. Important characteristics of PET are highlighted (refer to Table 1). In this paper, cement
paste was prepared for analysis using regular tap water with a pH limit of 7.
Table 1. Physical properties of the materials used
Cement 20 mm PET Plastic
Aggregates
Consistency 31%
Initial Setting Time 90 min
Final Setting Time 190 min
28 days compressive strength 51 MPa
Dry Density 1403 Kg/m3
Dry Rodded Density 1470 Kg/m3
Length 4-7mm
Width 3-5 mm
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Thickness 0.2mm
Specific Gravity 2.64 1.22
Water Absorption 0.5% Negligible
Fig. 1. PET plastic and 20 mm aggregates particle size distribution
Fig. 2. PET Plastic
2. Methodology
2.1. Mix Proportion
The final mix was created using a constant water-cement (w/c) ratio of 0.34, an aggregate-to-binder
(a/b) ratio of 4.81, and only 20 mm single-sized aggregate, based on a variety of trial mixes made in
accordance with ACI 522R-10[18]. The control mix was designed with a 20% void ratio and mild
compaction in mind. For every batch, this finalised mixture has been used as the control mix. Five
batches in total were cast, with PET plastic substituting 20 mm aggregates (by volume) in the
following percentages: 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. Table 4 displays the mix proportion for each
batch in a 1 m3 volume.
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Table 4. Mix proportion
Mix ID w/c Cement(Kg) Water(Kg) Coarse Aggregate(Kg) PET Plastic(Kg)
P0 0.36 245.46 88.36 1236.23 -
P5 0.36 245.46 88.36 1179.97 26.63
P10 0.36 245.46 88.36 1123.71 53.26
P15 0.36 245.46 88.36 967.46 79.90
P20 0.36 245.46 88.36 911.12 106.53
2.2. Casting of specimen
3. Results and Discussion
Five sets of six cubes measuring 100 mm by 100 mm by 100 mm were cast for compressive strength;
three sets were cast for seven days and two sets for twenty-eight days. For a 28-day strength test, three
cubes measuring 150 mm by 150 mm and three specimens of the beam measuring 500 mm by 100 mm
each were cast for the flexural and tensile strength tests, respectively. Test cubes of 100 mm by 100
mm by 100 mm were cast, tested, and subjected to calculations and testing after 28 days of casting in
order to determine density, abrasion, permeability, and porosity.
3.1. Compressive Strength Test
The compressive strength test was conducted following the criteria outlined in IS 516:1959. Figure
3 illustrates the compressive strength of each concrete mix at different plastic replacement levels after
7 and 28 days of curing. Notably, there is a gradual decline in strength as the proportion of plastic
increases. For instance, with a 5% replacement of PET, there is a reduction of 15.71% in strength.
However, the most significant observation is the substantial 78.86% decrease observed at 20%
replacement compared to the control mix. At 20% replacement, the strength drops from 13.68 MPa to
2.92 MPa after 28 days. This decline in strength could be attributed to the weak interfacial transition
zone (ITZ) between the cement paste and PET aggregate, where the smooth PET aggregate and cement
paste fail to interact effectively.
Fig. 3. Compressive strength of all concrete mixes with various plastic replacements
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3.2. Flexural Strength
Following the guidelines of IS 516:1959, the flexural strength test was conducted on beam
specimens using a two-point load mechanism. The outcomes of different mixtures of porous concrete
are presented below (refer to Fig. 4). Similar trends are observed in both compressive and flexural
strength. The flexural strength of the control mix is recorded as 2.73 MPa, which diminishes to 2.42
MPa and 1.17 MPa, respectively, indicating reductions of 11.42% and 57.10% in strength with 5% and
20% PET replacement. Previous studies by Saikia et al. and Saxena et al. have also highlighted similar
declines in flexural strength. According to Obla, the flexural strength of pervious concrete typically
ranges from 1 to 3.8 MPa. The diminished flexural strength of PET-induced pervious concrete can be
attributed to reduced adhesion between the PET aggregate and cement paste. Additionally, at higher
replacement levels, the flat surface of the plastic aggregate hinders effective interlocking between its
particles, rendering it incapable of supporting heavy loads. Despite these reductions, all flexural strength
values of the various mixtures remain within acceptable limits.
Fig. 4. Flexural strength of all the concrete mixes with various plastic replacements
3.3. Split Tensile Strength
Cubes were used for the split tensile strength test, with the force applied along the diagonal of the
cube (see Fig. 5). The examination followed IS 5816-1999[24]. The results of the tensile test are
displayed below (see Fig. 6). The findings showed that when the amount of plastic increases, the tensile
strength steadily drops. The control mix has the highest value, 1.24 MPa, and the 20% PET replacement
has the lowest value, 0.38 MPa, or a 69.72% drop in strength. The tensile test values are consistent with
a study by Ipek [20], and the trend is the same as a study by Rahmani et al. [25]. It is reasonable to
argue that the decreased tensile strength of plastic-induced pervious concrete is comparable to the
decreased compressive strength.
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Fig. 5. Split Tensile test
Fig. 6. Split Tensile strength of all the concrete mixes with various plastic replacements
3.4. Permeability
The percolation rate of pervious concrete was measured using the constant head method (see
Fig. 7), which involved maintaining a constant head until the water percolated through the samples for
60 seconds. Transparent tape was used to wrap the concrete samples to keep air out and enable external
packing. The permeability coefficients' computed values are displayed below (see Fig. 8). It can be said
that the permeability of the concrete rises with more PET participation. The permeability coefficients
increased by 97.14% from 0.19 cm/s for the control mix to 0.37 cm/s with 20% PET replacement. All
of the values are within the ACI 522R-10[18] allowed range for the permeability coefficient (0.14cm/s
to 1.22cm/s). Ali et al. [11], and Jain et al.[26], The bridging activity between PET particles may be the
cause of the rise in permeability coefficient. The water may move between them more easily thanks to
the PET's flat surface. The permeability coefficient values may have increased as a result of the porosity
increasing with the addition of a larger volume of PET[20]. Figure 13 illustrates the relationship
between permeability and compressive strength values and makes it evident that 10% PET replacement
level yields optimal values.
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Fig. 7.(a) Constant head method apparatus for permeability; (b) Tank with constant head and Concrete
specimen.
Fig. 8. Permeability coefficients of concrete mixes
3.5. Porosity and void content
The various concrete mixes' void contents have been computed using ASTM C 642-06
2008[27]. The same can be seen in the data below (see Fig. 9). In accordance with ACI 522R-10, the
permitted values of 15–30% void content of pervious concrete are satisfied when the porosity of the
plastic-induced pervious concrete increases dramatically from 19.84% for the control mix to 22.41%,
25.58%, 28.40%, and 31.58% for 5%, 10%,15%, and 20% PET substitution, respectively[18]. Ali et al.
[11] reported a comparable trend of increasing porosity. Concrete composed of PET fibres forms mesh-
like structures that increase the number of voids in the concrete, making the microstructure more porous
than that of the control mix [26].It is evident that porosity and permeability strongly correlate (see Fig.
14).
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Fig. 9. Porosity of different concrete mixes
3.6. Density
The various hardened concrete mixes' densities were calculated in accordance with ASTM C
642-06 2008[27]. The outcomes are shown in the figure below (Fig. 10). The density of the concrete
decreased from 1872 kg/m3 for the control mix to 1421 kg/m3 with 20% PET replacement, according
to the data. The low specific gravity of PET plastic and the increased porosity of concrete may be the
cause of the density decrease[11]. As a result, the formed concrete is lightweight, which lowers the high
surcharge load on soils and lessens soil subgrade sinking [20]..
Fig. 10. Density of different concrete mixes
3.7. Abrasion
Given how uneven the pervious concrete surface is, it is imperative that this concrete withstand
direct vehicle stresses during slipping, skidding, etc. [20]. The wear depth is determined to ascertain the
abrasive resistance during the abrasion test, which is conducted in accordance with IS 1237-1980[28].
Figure 12 displays the outcomes for the various concrete mixes. It is evident that the reduction in depth
decreases with increasing PET inclusion; that is, from 1.99 mm for the control mix to 1.85 mm, 1.70
mm, 1.48 mm, and 1.30 mm for 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% replacement, correspondingly. A similar fall
in depth was observed in the experiments of Saxena et al. [13] and Saikia et al. [21].The superior
abrasion resistance of porous concrete could have been caused by the toughness and abrasion resistance
of PET.
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Fig. 11. Abrasion resistance test
Fig. 12. Abrasive resistance of different concrete mixes
Fig. 13. Variation of compressive strength and permeability coefficients
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Fig. 14. Correlation between porosity and permeability
4. Conclusions
The impact of PET plastic fibres on the hydraulic and mechanical characteristics of porous concrete
was examined in this study. The ensuing results can be identified:
• The porous concrete's compressive strength was reduced as a result of the PET plastic fibres' poorer
binding with the cement paste. At 20% PET replacement, it drastically dropped from 13.81 MPa for the
control mix to 2.92 MPa.
• Both split tensile strength and flexural strength rise in tandem with an increase in the percentage of
PET fibers in porous concrete. PET fibers have been shown to be useful when needed up to a
replacement rate of 10%, beyond which the strength begins to fall off more noticeably.
• Furthermore, the density of the pervious concrete keeps falling as additional PET fibers are added.
The low specific gravity of PET fibers and the concrete's intrinsic porosity are to blame for this density
decrease. This means that the density values of lightweight concrete are limited to 1872 kg/m3
(replacement of 0%) to 1421 kg/m3 (20%).
• By adding PET fibres, pervious concrete becomes more permeable. When 20% of PET is replaced,
the permeability coefficient increases by 97.14% due to the flat surface of the PET fibres creating a
better channel inside the concrete composite.
• Another significant finding is the amplification of porosity values with an increase in the volume
percentage of PET fibres. Higher permeability coefficients are mostly caused by higher porosity values,
which are within allowable bounds.
• The more PET fibres there are in the porous concrete, the better its resistance to abrasion. Low depth
of wear is a result of PET's strong toughness and good resistance to wear. All things considered, strength
is not a matter of importance when water drainage is a serious worry. It is argued that porous concrete
with a w/c ratio of 0.34, an a/b ratio of 4.81, and a 10% substitution of PET plastic for coarse aggregate
(refer to Fig. 13) is a more sustainable option.
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