The Impact of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate as Aggregate Replacement on Mechanical and Ecotoxicological Properties of Mortar
The purpose of the study was to determine the mechanical and ecotoxicological properties of mortars with differently shaped recycled PET plastics as a partial natural aggregate replacement and assess its environmental impact. Different methods were used for determining mechanical properties, while e...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Recycling |
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| author | Maša Legan Petra Štukovnik Klementina Zupan Andreja Žgajnar Gotvajn |
| author_facet | Maša Legan Petra Štukovnik Klementina Zupan Andreja Žgajnar Gotvajn |
| author_sort | Maša Legan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The purpose of the study was to determine the mechanical and ecotoxicological properties of mortars with differently shaped recycled PET plastics as a partial natural aggregate replacement and assess its environmental impact. Different methods were used for determining mechanical properties, while ecotoxicity tests with two types of plants were performed for the assessment of the ecotoxicological potential of mortars. Results of strength tests revealed that PET in mortars increased 28-day compressive strength by up to 3% and decreased flexural strength by up to 14% compared to conventional mortar. Ultrasonic pulse velocity and dynamic modulus of elasticity were lower in PET mortars, while XRD and SEM-EDS showed fewer hydration products in PET mortars. Duckweed ecotoxicity test results revealed that frond growth inhibition values in PETS and conventional mortar leachate (100 g L<sup>−1</sup>) were around 50%, while root growth inhibition values did not exceed 40%. Mustard seed germination test results revealed root growth inhibition values in both mortar leachates were lower than 20%. Ecotoxicity tests showed that conventional and PET mortar were non-toxic to duckweed in aquatic environments and non-toxic to mustard seeds in terrestrial environments. Characterization of mortar leachates showed a significant increase in chloride, Ca, Si, and Ba content as potential causes for growth inhibition of both plants. Plastic waste reduction due to the potential use of PET in mortars confirmed that plastic waste could be completely eliminated and the global consumption of primary natural resources for concrete production reduced up to 4%. Such an approach could increase mortar sustainability. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5e73e451028f4abc9245ad2aec6e3e05 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2313-4321 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Recycling |
| spelling | doaj-art-5e73e451028f4abc9245ad2aec6e3e052025-08-20T02:03:32ZengMDPI AGRecycling2313-43212025-01-01101810.3390/recycling10010008The Impact of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate as Aggregate Replacement on Mechanical and Ecotoxicological Properties of MortarMaša Legan0Petra Štukovnik1Klementina Zupan2Andreja Žgajnar Gotvajn3Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaFaculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Jamova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaFaculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaFaculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaThe purpose of the study was to determine the mechanical and ecotoxicological properties of mortars with differently shaped recycled PET plastics as a partial natural aggregate replacement and assess its environmental impact. Different methods were used for determining mechanical properties, while ecotoxicity tests with two types of plants were performed for the assessment of the ecotoxicological potential of mortars. Results of strength tests revealed that PET in mortars increased 28-day compressive strength by up to 3% and decreased flexural strength by up to 14% compared to conventional mortar. Ultrasonic pulse velocity and dynamic modulus of elasticity were lower in PET mortars, while XRD and SEM-EDS showed fewer hydration products in PET mortars. Duckweed ecotoxicity test results revealed that frond growth inhibition values in PETS and conventional mortar leachate (100 g L<sup>−1</sup>) were around 50%, while root growth inhibition values did not exceed 40%. Mustard seed germination test results revealed root growth inhibition values in both mortar leachates were lower than 20%. Ecotoxicity tests showed that conventional and PET mortar were non-toxic to duckweed in aquatic environments and non-toxic to mustard seeds in terrestrial environments. Characterization of mortar leachates showed a significant increase in chloride, Ca, Si, and Ba content as potential causes for growth inhibition of both plants. Plastic waste reduction due to the potential use of PET in mortars confirmed that plastic waste could be completely eliminated and the global consumption of primary natural resources for concrete production reduced up to 4%. Such an approach could increase mortar sustainability.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/10/1/8cement mortarecotoxicological propertiesmechanical propertiesnatural aggregaterecycled PET plasticplastic waste reduction |
| spellingShingle | Maša Legan Petra Štukovnik Klementina Zupan Andreja Žgajnar Gotvajn The Impact of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate as Aggregate Replacement on Mechanical and Ecotoxicological Properties of Mortar Recycling cement mortar ecotoxicological properties mechanical properties natural aggregate recycled PET plastic plastic waste reduction |
| title | The Impact of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate as Aggregate Replacement on Mechanical and Ecotoxicological Properties of Mortar |
| title_full | The Impact of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate as Aggregate Replacement on Mechanical and Ecotoxicological Properties of Mortar |
| title_fullStr | The Impact of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate as Aggregate Replacement on Mechanical and Ecotoxicological Properties of Mortar |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Impact of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate as Aggregate Replacement on Mechanical and Ecotoxicological Properties of Mortar |
| title_short | The Impact of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate as Aggregate Replacement on Mechanical and Ecotoxicological Properties of Mortar |
| title_sort | impact of recycled polyethylene terephthalate as aggregate replacement on mechanical and ecotoxicological properties of mortar |
| topic | cement mortar ecotoxicological properties mechanical properties natural aggregate recycled PET plastic plastic waste reduction |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/10/1/8 |
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