The assessment of utilizing Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Waste in the Concrete Industry

mohsin haider; I. Alyaseri

doi:10.71229/hexqke93

Authors

Mohsin Haider Mohsin Civil Engineering Department/College of Engineering/Al-Muthanna University/Al-Muthanna
Isam J. Al-yaseri Civil Engineering Department/College of Engineering/Al-Muthanna University/Al-Muthanna

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71229/hexqke93

Keywords:

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste, Recycled aggregates, PET fiber-reinforced concrete, Interfacial transition zone (ITZ), Mechanical & durability properties

Abstract

The increasing use of plastics worldwide has caused serious environmental problems, especially Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) waste from beverage bottles and packaging, which forms a major fraction of municipal solid waste. At the same time, the construction industry faces the depletion of natural aggregates and high carbon emissions from concrete production. This review paper summarizes various articles discussing the use of recycled PET waste as a partial replacement for fine or coarse aggregates, or as reinforcing fibers in concrete mixtures. Incorporating PET waste changes, the fresh, hardened, mechanical, and durability properties of concrete. Although PET waste reduces workability and compressive strength due to the weak ITZ between hydrophobic plastic and hydrophilic cement paste, at low replacement levels (0.5%–5% by volume), standard structural capacity can be maintained for most applications. In addition, incorporating manufactured PET fibers improves ductility, energy absorption, and impact resistance. Because of the lower density and thermal conductivity of PET-reinforced concrete, its use in non-load-bearing, lightweight, and thermal insulation applications is facilitated. In this paper, these consequential features are discussed. Microstructural interactions between PET and the binder matrix are also described, alongside the environmental and economic aspects of utilizing PET in sustainable concrete construction.

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