Use of waste polyethylene for property improvement of concrete

Abstract

Polyethylene waste products, especially thin polyethylene bag wastes have become a global problem in Environment Pollution Control Management. The primary objective of this project was to manufacture a property improved Polymer-Concrete Composite mix for building construction, using waste polyethylene grocery bags, made out of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This is proposed as a means of reuse for this polymer product which would give even more benefits. Research observations, including laboratory test reports indicated that the blending of suitable percentages of polyethylene flakes in to the concrete mixes gives higher workability performance in fresh concrete and it improves the durability characteristic of hardened concrete. It was verified by controlled laboratory tests that the adding of appropriate proportions of polyethylene cut fragments to grade C30/20 concrete gives very good fresh concrete properties like cohesiveness and workability (flowability) and improved hardened concrete durability properties like higher compressive strength, lower water absorption, low initial surface absorption (ISAT), low water penetration and lower Rapid Chloride Permeability (RCPT). This research also proposes theoretical explanations for the observations of property changes.