Comparison between plain concrete and concrete

With plastic bottles as aggregate

John Michael Aquino

Justine Rivero

Kimi Josh Andrei Villanueva

Jeric Daniel Catoy

 Abstract

This research paper contains the comparison between plain concrete and concrete with

plastic bottles as aggregate in terms of fire resistance and hardness. Plastic bottles

were used to reduce dumped plastic bottles that causes pollution when unrecycled into

a useful thing in the environment. These plastic bottles can be turned into concrete

aggregate which can also make plain concrete better.

 Table of Contents

Title Page………………………………………………………….. i

Abstract……………………………………………………………. ii

Chapter 1………………………………………………………….. 1

Chapter 2………………………………………………………….. 4

Chapter 3………………………………………………………….. 5

Chapter 4………………………………………………………….. 8

Chapter 5………………………………………………………….. 9

References……………………………………………………….. 10
 Chapter 1

Introduction

Plastic bottles are the most commonly used household items. These are used all around the

world. According to statistics, a million plastic bottles are used per minute and 91% of them are

not recycled. Plastic bottles take more than 450 years to decompose. PET bottles are the most

commonly used kind of plastic bottles. Plastic bottles can also be a cause of a pollution, which

can affect people and the environment. This is why the researchers came up with the idea of

using plastic bottles as aggregate to concrete.

Statement of the problem

Many plastic bottles are dumped onto dumpsites. They are not getting reused nor being

recycled. Also, these will take a very long time before they decompose. This means that

they will be dumped on dumpsites for more than 450 years. The research tests and compares

plain concrete and concrete with plastic bottles as aggregate to know it’s hardness and fire

resistance.

Hypotheses

The researchers have a hypothesis that a plain concrete and concrete with plastic bottles as

aggregate will have greater density, hardness, strength, and resistances. The plastic bottles will

strengthen the concrete for there are more materials used. Plastic bottles also takes long

enough time to decompose to make a sturdy concrete.

Significance of the study

This research helps reducing dumped plastic bottles into something useful. Using plastic

bottles as aggregate to concrete will reduce dumped plastic bottles and will be recycled. This

will also help reduce pollutions in the environment.

Scope and Limitations

The researchers uses no. 1 plastic bottles, which are Polyethylene Terephthalate, also

known as PET bottles. The research focuses on the comparison between concrete and concrete

with plastic bottles as aggregate.

 Chapter 2

Review on Related Literature

A million plastic bottles is sold worldwide per minute. 91% of them are not recycled.

100,000 marine creatures die in a year because of plastic bottles. A concrete mix of

cement to sand to aggregate has a ratio of 1:3:3. Generally, concrete sets in 24 to 48

hours allowing for you to walk on it. Cement is partially cured within a week if kept free

and clear of heavy equipment at which you can continue building/construction. Most

mixes fully cures at 28 days.

 Chapter 3

Methodology

Polyethylene Teraphtalate (PET) bottles are being collected by the researchers. The

researchers will cut the collected plastic bottles into thin strips so they can cut them into

smaller pieces. For Trial A, a ratio for cement to sand to plastic bottles is 2:6:1

(20g:60g:10g) is prepared, 2:5:2 (20g:50g:10g) for Trial B, and 2:4:3 (20g:40g:30g). Let

the Trials dry for at least 12 hours under the sun. Let lit up by fire until concrete slightly

melts. Then, fall for few inches or feet until samples are slightly cracked.
Collect PET Cut PET bottles into Cut strips into
(Polyethylene small strips. smaller pieces.
Terephtalate) bottles.

Prepare cement, sand, Prepare cement, Prepare cement, sand,

and cut plastic bottles in sand, and cut plastic and cut plastic bottles
ratio 2:4:3 for Trial C bottles in ratio 2:5:2 in ratio 2:6:1 for Trial
for Trial B A

Mix Trial A, B, and C. Transfer mixes into Let dry for atleast 12
plastic cups. Fill in hrs.
100 mL of water.

Fall samples for few Light up samples

inches or feet until until slightly melts.
concrete cracks
slightly.
 Ratio of cement to sand to plastic bottles (grams)

A 1:6:1 10g: 60g: 10g

B 1:5:2 10g: 50g: 20g

C 1:4:3 10g: 40g: 30g

 Chapter 4

Results, Analysis and Interpretations

Sample B and Sample C was destroyed before comparison. Therefore, Sample A was

used for camporison. Both concretes (Sample A and plain concrete) did not melt until 1

hour of contact to fire. The table below shows how much distance the concretes took to

be cracked or broken apart.

Distance took by concretes before cracking or breaking apart (in inches)

Sample A 7 in. 14 in. 31 in.

Plain Concrete 10 in. 15 in.

Plain concrete breaks apart before third trial.

 Chapter 5

Conclusion and recommendation

The researchers therefore conclude that concrete with plastic bottles as aggregate are

slightly better than those that are only plain concrete. The researchers recommend to

measure other resistances of concrete with plastic bottles as aggregate other than fire

resistance. They also recommend to compare density of both concrete.

References

https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2017/07/26/million-plastic-bottles-minute-91-

not-recycled/#b486848292cc, Trevor Nace, We’re now at a Million Plastic Bottles Per

Minute, 2017

https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-long-does-it-take-garbage-to-decompose-
2878033, The Decomposition of Waste in Landfills: A Story of Time and Materials, Rick
Leblanc, 2018

https://waste4change.com/7-types-plastic-need-know/, 7 Types of Plastic that You Need

to Know, Amanda Bahraini, 2018