Influence of curing conditions on the durability-related performance of concrete made with selected plastic waste aggregates

The effect of curing conditions on the durability of concrete mixes containing selected plastic waste aggregates was investigated. Concrete mixes were prepared in which 0%, 7.5% and 15% of natural aggregates were replaced by plastic - polyethylene terephthalate (PET) - aggregate. The effects of fine and coarse aggregates, used separately, as well as of their shape were also investigated. The manufactured concrete specimens were subjected to outdoor environment, laboratory environment and wet chamber curing regimes. Tests for shrinkage, water absorption by immersion, water absorption by capillarity action, carbonation and chloride penetration were carried out. The test results showed a decline in the properties of concrete made with plastic aggregates, in terms of durability, compared with conventional concrete. All specimens performed worse when subjected to drier curing regimes. However, sensitivity analyses showed that the properties of concrete mixes containing plastic aggregates generally deteriorate less than those of conventional concrete, when subjected to progressively drier curing regimes. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.