Effect of addition of PET on the mechanical performance of PET-mortar composite materials [L'effet de l'ajout du PET sur les performances mécaniques des matériaux composites mortier-PET]

Polyethylene terephthalate (pet) is widely used in beverage containers and other products. thus,one of the logical methods to address pet waste is to recycle it for industrial use. research related to converting waste pet bottles into construction material has been conducted worldwide. in this article,with a more comprehensive approach than previous studies,effects of 1.5%,2.5%,3.5%,5% and 7.5 wt % substitution of cement with pet wastes particles have been investigated. for this purpose,rectangular specimens (4×4×16cm3) with constant water to cement ratio were manufactured and physical properties of fresh mortar were evaluated. moreover,the specimens cured in a standard condition were used in an experimental program to obtain mechanical properties. test results indicated that the strength resistance of pet0 mortar is higher,but beyond 180 and 360 days all pet-mortar strength come close together. only for the composite pet7.5,is there a decrease of about 7% in the compressive strength at 360 days. however,pet2.5 composite seems to have the highest flexural strength from about 50 days and above. additionally,atg/dtg,sem and x-ray analyses tests were performed to investigate the mechanism of strength development. in this way,the obtained pet-mortar composites would appear to be low-cost materials which would contribute to resolving some of the solid waste problems in addition to conserving energy.