Engineering Performance of Concrete Incorporated with Recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)-A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Growing plastic waste necessitates sustainable disposal solutions.
• Natural resource depletion drives demand for eco-friendly construction materials.
• Recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) presents a viable option for concrete manufacturing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the engineering performance of recycled HDPE in concrete.
• To analyze the mechanical and durability characteristics of HDPE concrete.
• To assess the potential of recycled HDPE as a sustainable construction material.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies incorporating recycled HDPE in concrete.
• Analysis of HDPE in aggregate, fiber, and cementitious forms.
• Evaluation of compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths.

Main Results:

• Optimum compressive and flexural strength for fine aggregate concrete at 10% HDPE.
• Optimum splitting tensile strength for fine aggregate concrete at 5% HDPE.
• Increased flexural and splitting tensile strength in HDPE fiber-reinforced concrete compared to plain concrete.
• Reduced mechanical and durability performance with increased HDPE due to weaker matrix bonding.

Conclusions:

• Recycled HDPE can be incorporated into concrete as aggregates or fibers.
• Specific HDPE percentages yield optimal mechanical properties.
• Hydrophobicity and smooth texture of HDPE negatively impact concrete matrix bonding and overall performance.
• This review advances research on recycled HDPE for sustainable construction applications.