International Conf.

on Recent Trends in Engineering, Technology and Management (ICRTETM-2K19)

Organized by Alamuri Ratnamala Institute of Engineering and Technology

Experimental Investigation on the Compressive Strength of Concrete

with Plastic PET Bottle Aggregate as Fine Aggregate.
TRUPTI R.G1, PRANAV R.G2, KUNAL D.S3, ANANDA B.S4, S N ABHISHEK5
1,2,3&4 BE Student, Shivajirao S. Jondhle College of Engineering and Technology, Asangaon
5Asst.Professor, Shivajirao S. Jondhle College of Engineering and Technology, Asangaon
Department of Civil Engineering
University of Mumbai, Maharshtra , INDIA

ABSTRACT: Plastic solid waste generation increases every year with the current consumption habit prevalent in
the society nowadays. The improper disposal of plastic has been a major concern to the environment as it is not
easily degradable. The issue of environmental pollution caused by Polyethylene Terephthalates (PET) has been
extensively discussed and the best solution proposed is recycling. Therefore, one of the potential means to the
problem is to recycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in the construction industry as a aggregate in concrete.
The objective of this research is to determine the compressive strength and the optimum percentages of recycled
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) aggregates in ordinary concrete. This project deals with the possibility of using
the waste PET bottles as the partial replacement of aggregatein in concrete with 10%, 15% 20% and 25% PET
bottle aggregates for fine aggregate were produced and compared against control mix . cube specimens of 15
number each were casted, cured and tested for 3, 7 and 28 days. Compressive strength results were compared
with conventional mix. The finding revealed an increase in compressive strength for 15% of replacement.
Keywords: PET bottle aggregates, compressive strength, % replacement.

1. Introduction
Reduction of waste produced around the world is a major challenge which society is facing today.
Conventional approaches adopted include reduction of waste production and recycling as far as possible of
what is certainly produced. The amount polymer wastes is continuously increasing, bringing serious
ecological and economic problems, since the extent of biodegradation of commodity plastics is very low.
Concrete is the most important and commonly used building material. The reasons for that are high
compressive strength, relatively low cost of production and availability of the raw materials. Modification of
concrete with polymers may improve the low tensile strength and low crack propagation resistance. However,
the polymer additives are relatively expensive.
The studies on the possibilities of using PET bottles in the building materials industry have been
carried out for more than 20 years. Poly ethylene terephthalate (PET) is an example of a plastic which is
abundantly available, Because of extremely short time of use of PET bottles, they become wastes very quickly.
The plastic wastes seem to be too valuable raw materials if it is utilized in a right way, (9,4) one of the potential
applications of this waste is in the construction industry, where it has been used in concrete, either in
shredded form or combined with other materials, to form a synthetic aggregate. Since plastics have lower
density than most natural materials, they can be readily used to form lightweight aggregate which may replace
naturally-existing aggregate of similar density. Concrete produced with a conventional lightweight aggregate
has been shown to exhibit excessive shrinkage and high water absorption [7]. Good insulation is important in
both hot (as in Saudi Arabia) and cold climates. Local lightweight aggregate used in concrete produced from
volcanic rock is associated with problems such as low strength, lack of durability, high mining and hauling
costs, excessive drying shrinkage, high water absorption and limited availability [7, 8]. Thus, if an alternative,
synthetic, aggregate could be produced using waste materials which can be used to produce lightweight
concrete with similar or better insulation properties (compared to concrete produced with local aggregate
from volcanic origins) and lesser shrinkage, this will benefit the Gulf region in reducing energy costs. A
number of researchers. A number of researchers have used waste plastic in concrete as a direct replacement
for natural aggregates. Fahad k alqahtani et al The concrete made using recycled plastic aggregate (RPA) was
a little more durable compared to that made with natural lightweight aggregate. It may be possible to use
such concrete it in applications which are exposed to severe chemical attack, such as marine structures or in
coastal areas. Applications may also include those where low strengths are desirable, such as utility trench
backfill. Other applications may include low rise housing. S Shahidan et al the compressive strength of the
concrete showed a fluctuating results as the percentage increased (>1%) and the tensile strength of concrete
was increased by 10% when 1% of fibers was added. Daniel wilinski et al it was observed that PET fibers did
Special Issue IJRAR- International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews 1
UGC Approved: 43602 e ISSN 2348 –1269, Print ISSN 2349-5138
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not deteriorate the mechanical strength of concrete composite however the fibers caused worsening of
workability. The findings of a study on the effect of using recycled plastic aggregate (RPA) as a total
replacement for conventional lightweight coarse aggregates (LWA) in concrete are reported in this paper. This
includes findings on the effect of RPA on the compressive strength of concrete.

2. Objective of the proposed work

 To evaluate the possibility of using granulated plastic waste material in the concrete.
 To determine the optimum usage of PET bottle aggregates as partial substitute for the fine aggregate
(sand) in concrete and to investigate the structural behavior of concrete.

3. Methodology
 To collect the PET bottles needed for research
 equipments needed for testing
 Shredding the waste bottles into pieces
 Granulating the pieces to smaller size as that of sand
 Casting and curing of the basic test specimens(cubes) for determination of compressive strength

3.1 Field Test on Cement

 Date of Manufacturing
 Cement Colour
 Whether hard lumps are formed
 Temperature inside cement bag
 Smoothness test
 The smell of cement
 Glass plate test
 Block test

3.2 Field Teste on Aggregate

 Surface moisture content & absorption
 Silt content for sand
 Bulking of sand
 Sieve analysis
 Fineness modulus
 Specific gravity of aggregates

3.3 Materials Used

 Cement : Ordinary Portland cement 43 grade.
 Fine aggregate : River sand.
 Course aggregate : 20 mm – 50%, 10mm and 12.5 mm – 50%.
 PlasticPET bottle aggregate.
 Water.

3.4 Properties of Material Used

 Specific Gravity of Cement = 3.15
 Specific Gravity of Cement = 2.67
 Specific Gravity of Coarse Aggregate = 2.82
 Water Absorption
o Coarse Aggregate = 0.67 %
o Fine Aggregate =1.2 %

3.5 Experimental Plan

2 IJRAR- International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews Special Issue

International Conf. on Recent Trends in Engineering, Technology and Management (ICRTETM-2K19)
Organized by Alamuri Ratnamala Institute of Engineering and Technology
In this project 0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% of traditional fine aggregate is replaced for M25 grade concrete.
The replacement percent by volume of total fine aggregate content derived from the mixture proportion. Cube
specimens of size 150mm x 150mm x 150mm. 15 no of cubes casted for each % of concrete and compared
with the conventional mix. Slump cone test was conducted to determine the workability of concrete. 5 cubes
for 3days testing, 5 cubes for 7 days testing and another 5 cubes are for 28 days testing were done using
compressive testing machine. Sample of PET bottle aggregates are shown in the below Figure 1 and Figure 2

Figure 1: PET bottle Aggregate Figure 2: PET bottle Aggregate

3.6 Mix Design

The mix design for M25 grade of concrete is calculated using IS 456:2000 and IS 10262:2009. The materials
required as per design are given in Table 1

Table 1: Materials required for M25 Mix concrete per cubic meter
Quantity Of Material ( Kg/M 3)
W/C Ratio Cement Fine Aggregate Coarse Aggregate
0.45 438.133 735.29 1095.126

Mix proportion was done for various percentages of PET bottle aggregates i.e 10%, 15% 20% and 25%
replacement for fine aggregates the mix proportion are given in the below Table 2

Table 2: Materials required as per IS method of concrete design

Replacement of PET Bottle 0% 10% 15% 20% 25%
Aggregate (%) (Conventional)
Water (Kg/ m3) 197.16 197.16 197.16 197.16 197.16
Cement (Kg/ m3) 438.133 438.133 438.133 438.133 438.133
Fine Aggregate (Kg/ m3) 735.29 61.761 624.99 561.232 551.467
Coarse Aggregate (Kg/ m3) 1095.126 1095.126 1095.126 1095.126 1095.126
PET Aggregate(Kg/ m3) 0 73.529 110.29 147.058 183.823

4. Tests on specimens
All the cast specimens were de-moulded after 24 hours and were placed in curing tank for a period of 3, 7 and
28 days. The specimens were taken for compression testing in compression testing machine. Five numbers of
specimens in each were tested and the average value is calculated. The results were compared and analysed
with that of control mix. The test set up and the failure pattern of specimens are as shown in below figure 3 ,
figure 4 and figure 5

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UGC Approved: 43602 e ISSN 2348 –1269, Print ISSN 2349-5138
http://ijrar.com/

Figure 3: Compression testing of specimen till Figure 4: Specimen with PET bottle aggregate
failure

Figure 5: Specimens with different percentage replacement of aggregate

4.1 Compressive Strength Testing

The compressive strength of the cube specimen is calculated using the following formula:
Compressive Strength, fc = P/A in N/mm2
Where P = Load at failure in N
A = Area subjected to compression in mm2
The graph shown in figure 6, figure 7 and figure 8, illustrates the variation of the compressive strength of
specimens with different replacement percentage of fine aggregates by plastic PET bottle aggregate. An
appreciable increase in the compressive strength is observed till 15% replacement of the fine aggregate with
PET bottle aggregate and then the compressive strength is gradually reduced. The replacement of fine
aggregate with 15% replacement is found to be practical.

4 IJRAR- International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews Special Issue

International Conf. on Recent Trends in Engineering, Technology and Management (ICRTETM-2K19)
Organized by Alamuri Ratnamala Institute of Engineering and Technology

3 Days Compressive Strength 7 Days Compressive Strength

30 30
Compressive Strength of Cube

Compressive Strength of Cube

27 27
24 24
21 21
18 18
15 15
12 12
9 9
(Mpa)

(Mpa)
6 6
3 3
0 0
10% 15% 20% 25% 10% 15% 20% 25%

Percantage of Plastic PET Bottle Percantage of Plastic PET Bottle

Aeggregate (%) Aeggregate (%)
10% 15% 20% 25% 10% 15% 20% 25%

Figure 6 : Compressive strength of concrete at Figure 7 : Compressive strength of concrete at 7

3 days for different percentage replacement of days for different percentage replacement of
PET bottle aggregate PET bottle aggregate

28 Days Compressive Strength

30
Compressive Strength of Cube

27
24
21
18
15
12
9
(Mpa)

6
3
0
10% 15% 20% 25%

Percantage of Plastic PET Bottle

Aeggregate (%)
10% 15% 20% 25%

Figure 8 : Compressive strength of concrete at

28 days for different percentage replacement of
PET bottle aggregate

Table: Weight of concrete cube at 3 days with varying percentage of PET bottle aggregate (Kg)

Weight of concrete cube with varying percentage of PET bottle aggregate (Kg)

0% 10% 15% 20% 25%

3 Days 8592.3 8021.3 7725.9 7515.3 7289.5
8569.1 8051.3 7856.5 7465.4 7324.1
8517.1 7994.5 7789.3 7499.8 7356.2
8454.2 7953.6 7802.2 7450.1 7298.8
8488.5 7950.3 7769.8 7478.3 7245.3
Special Issue IJRAR- International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews 5
UGC Approved: 43602 e ISSN 2348 –1269, Print ISSN 2349-5138
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Table: Weight of concrete cube at 7 days with varying percentage of PET bottle aggregate (Kg)

Weight of concrete cube with varying percentage of PET bottle aggregate (Kg)

0% 10% 15% 20% 25%

7 Days 8498.3 7954.1 7812.3 7454.3 7380.2
8520.2 7991.9 7796.8 7521.5 7299.5
8511.8 8081.3 7800.1 7566.1 7312.5
8522.1 8101.8 7856.3 7550.3 7244.1
8469.9 8123.8 7794.6 7499.6 7322.8

Table: Weight of concrete cube at 28 days with varying percentage of PET bottle aggregate (Kg)

Weight of concrete cube with varying percentage of PET bottle aggregate (Kg)

0% 10% 15% 20% 25%

28 Days 8496.2 7911.8 7800.3 7489.2 7301.2
8555.2 7899.8 7822.1 7514.9 7298.1
8489.7 8101.1 7801.6 7558.2 7302.5
8596.3 8066.7 7787.2 7513.2 7338.9
8513.8 7922.9 7754.8 7501.9 7209.9

5. Conclusion
 The concrete with PET aggregates reduced the weight of concrete and thus if mortar with plastic
aggregates can be made into light weight concrete based on unit weight
 It was observed that the compressive strength increased up to 15% replacement of the fine aggregate
with PET bottle aggregate and it gradually decreased for 20% and 25% replacements. Therefore it
can be concluded that replacement of fine aggregate with 15% replacement will be reasonable.

6. Scope for Future Studies

 Admixtures can be used to improve bonding of aggregates
 Utilisation of fibres in plastic concrete in various proportions to improve the strength.
 Plastic aggregates along with plastic fibres can be used to improve the strength of concrete.
 A better way of grinding plastic bottles may be adopted to produce aggregates and fibres in large
scale.

7. References
[1] Choi, Y.W., D.J. Moon, J.S. Chung and S.K. Cho, 2005. Effects of waste PET bottles aggregate on the properties
of concrete. Cement Concrete Res., 35: 776-781.
[2] Swan, C. and A. Sacks, 2005.Properties of synthetic lightweight aggregates for use in pavement systems.
Proceedings of the Geo-Frontiers 2005 Congress GSP 130 Advances in Pavement Engineering, January 24-26,
2005, Austin, Texas, pp.: 1-12.
[3] Pappu, A., M. Saxena and S.R. Asolekar, 2007. Solid wastes generation in India and their recycling potential
in building materials. Build. Environ., 42: 2311-2320.
[4] Siddique, R., J. Khatib and I. Kaur, 2008. Use of recycled plastic in concrete: A review. Waste Manage., 28:
1835-1852.

6 IJRAR- International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews Special Issue

International Conf. on Recent Trends in Engineering, Technology and Management (ICRTETM-2K19)
Organized by Alamuri Ratnamala Institute of Engineering and Technology
[5] Choi, Y.W., D.J. Moon, Y.J. Kim and M. Lachemi, 2009. Characteristics of mortar and concrete containing
fine aggregate manufactured from recycled waste polyethylene terephthalate bottles. Constr. Build. Mater.,
23: 2829-2835.
[6] Albano C, N. Camacho, M. Hernandez, A. Matheus and A. Gutierrez, 2009. Influence of content and particle
size of pet waste bottles on concrete behaviour at different w/c ratios. Waste Manage. 29:2707–2716.
[7] Akcaozoglu, S., C.D. Atis and K. Akcaozoglu, 2010. An investigation on the use of shredded waste PET
bottles as aggregate in lightweight concrete. Waste Manage., 30: 285-290.
[8] Rahmani E., M. Dehestani, M. Beygi, H. Allahyari and I. Nikbin, 2013.On the mechanical properties of
concrete containing waste PET particles. Construction and Building Materials, 47:1302–1308.
[9] Saikia N, J. Brito, 2014. Mechanical properties and abrasion behaviour of concrete containing shredded
PET bottle waste as a partial substitution of natural aggregate. Construction and Building Materials, 52: 236-
244.
[10] IS 456:2000 :- Plain and Reinforced Concrete Code of Practice.
[11] IS 10262 : 2009 Concrete Mix Proportioning –Guidelines.
[12] S. Shahidan, N. A. Ranle, S. S. Mohd Zuki, F. Sheikh Khalid, A . R . M . Ridzuan, F. M. Nazri (2018)
Concrete Incorporated with Optimum Percentages of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottle Fiber
International Journal of Integrated Engineering, Vol. 10 No.1 p p. 1-8
[13] Daniel Wilińskia,*, Paweł Łukowskia, Gabriel Rokickib (2016) Journal of Building Chemistry Application
of fibres from recycled PET bottles for concrete Reinforcement Volume 1 Issue 1. pp 1-9.

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