An Investigation into the Properties of Concrete Containing Polyethylene (Pure-water sachet waste)

摘要

One of the major environmental pollution problem experienced in Nigeria results from wastes disposal. In the recent, one of these wastes like the polyethylene wastes such as pure water sachets (PWS) which is nonbiodegradable is increasing as a results of increase in population. This study investigates the performance of shredded PWS waste in concrete by partially replacing fine aggregates in different percentage of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 & 2.0% as an alternative means of disposal. A mix ratio of 124 was used and a total of 108 cubes (150mm x 150mm x 150mm) were cast, cured and tested at 7, 14 and 28 days respectively to determine its water absorption capacity, compressive strength and density of such concrete. The research thus revealed that incorporating shredded PWS in concrete has no significant effect on the water absorption property of concrete as the rate for all the samples are within acceptable limit based on standard. Increase in dose of PWS in concrete reduces the density of the concrete. The study also shows that 0.2% of shredded PWS incorporated in concrete gave a high compressive strength comparable to the control. However, this study recommends that 0.2% of SPBW incorporated in concrete can be used in concrete production since it falls within the minimum requirement for ordinary concrete with an average compressive strength of 10.0N/mm2 as recommended by BS8110 1(1997).