Recycled plastic aggregate in mortars composition: Effect on physical and mechanical properties

In this paper artificial aggregates based on recycled plastic materials, mostly polyolefin and polyethylene terephthalate waste, were used as partial replacement of natural aggregates for manufacturing hydraulic mortars. In particular, different amounts (10–50% by weight) of siliceous sand were substituted by the same weight of the above plastic waste, to obtain six mortars with different composition. The influence of plastic addition on physical and mechanical properties (density, porosity, compressive and flexural behavior and water vapour permeability) was studied. Moreover the thermal conductivity of the obtained mortars was evaluated.