Influence of coarse aggregate on the physical and mechanical performance of paving blocks made using waste plastic

Abstract

Urbanization, changes in life style and development of many activities are leading to a widespread pollution of landscape by plastic bags. Plastic bags waste management has become a real concern for the society globally because they are widely used, they are non-biodegradable and they show an anaesthetic view. Solutions have been scientifically found by simply recycling those bags for the sake of sustainability and the improvement of road material properties. Waste plastic bags have been used for totally replacing the conventional cement in concrete paving blocks to improve desired engineering properties of paving blocks for road pavement. This paper aims at evaluating the influence of coarse aggregate on the mechanical and physical properties of paving blocks made using melted Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). Melted LDPE are mixed as binder with sand and coarse aggregate to make paving blocks for road pavement purposes. In conventional paving blocks making process, cement paste is used as binder. Cement can technically be replaced with melted plastic waste to make paving blocks more flexible as concrete blocks are basically used for rigid pavement. Paving blocks containing LDPE, sand and coarse aggregate with different mix ratios were prepared, tested and the results were discussed. Paving blocks made using waste LDPE plastic and sand, with addition of 5% of coarse aggregate show better mechanical properties, flexibility, and more resistant to water absorption.