EFFECTS OF REPROCESSED POLYETHYLENE WATER SACHETS (PWS) ON STRENGTH AND PERMEABILITY OF LATERIZED CONCRETE

This research work was carried out to investigate the effect of a chemically reprocessed Polyethylene Water Sachets (PWS) on the strength and permeability of laterized concrete. The concrete specimens used for the tests were cubes measuring 150x150x150mm and were prepared in accordance with BS1881 Part B. The concrete consists of cement used in conjunction with the reprocessed PWS, laterite as fine aggregate, crushed stones (granite) as coarse aggregate, and water. The proportion of the reprocessed PWS in the concrete was varied by replacing 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% cement content with the reprocessed PWS. The mix ratio of 1:2:4 was employed in the preparation of the specimens. Compressive strength test was carried out on the specimens in conformity with BS1881 Part116.The permeability of the specimens was determined by carrying out water absorption test on the specimens in accordance with BS1881 Part 5. Results showed that replacing part of the cement with the reprocessed PWS enhances the compressive strength of the laterized concrete from 2%PWS up to 8%PWS content before it dropped. The strength at 28 days curing age increased from 11.29 N/mm2 at 2%PWS content up to 15.51 N/mm at 8%PWS content and dropped to 8.27 N/mm2at 10%PWS content. Increase in values of compressive Strength was indicated for corresponding increase in curing age. The addition of the reprocessed PWS to the concrete also resulted in density reduction of the concrete for all the percentages considered. The water absorption test showed that the permeability of the concrete reduced from 3.4% at 0%PWS to 2.67% at 2%PWS and again increased up 3.69% at 8%PWS content before it again dropped to 2.96% at 10%PWS content. The results also showed that at 28 days curing age, the 10%PWS laterized concrete has maximum compressive strength of 15.51N/mm.