Performance of Recycled PVC Aggregates in Concrete – Comparative Study

Abstract

Plastic is the most used material in the world due to its easiest manufacturing and shaping, low density, and low cost. Their accumulation poses environmental problems due to no biodegradable. In recent times, researchers have concerned with the reuse of waste and recycled plastic materials in the concrete mix. Many studies have been published for the behavior of concrete having recycled plastic materials. This paper summarizes and compares the published literature studies on PVC recycled as a partial fine and coarse aggregate form replacement in concrete. The characteristics of the material, size and shape, replacement ratio, and the influence of PVC materials on the concrete properties have been discussed. The resultant concrete properties such as slump and workability, density, compressive strength, and durability of the PVC concrete were compared in the available literature. The results are not convergent due to many factors such as replacement of PVC ratio, shape, size, and the case of the PVC waste. In general, concrete containing PVC reduces the density, mechanical properties (compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength), and dry shrinkage as the PVC replacement ratio increase. The lower mechanical strength of concrete may be attributed to weak of ITZ in the interface between the aggregates and cement paste. Resistance of chloride ion penetration is better in PVC mixed concrete than the reference concrete. The PVC concrete may classify the lightweight based on the density of the concrete.