Adaptability of concrete blocks, reinforced with recycled plastics: Circular construction approach from the UK

Purpose – This paper examines whether the addition of post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) mesh can increase the tensile strength of a concrete brick. With plastic being one of the most wasted materials in the world today, this paper aims to find a use for waste plastic, specifically PET, as the current recycling system is inefficient. Concrete is known to have an extremely low tensile strength in comparison to compressive strength; hence, why tests to improve the tensile strength of concrete are important. Improving the tensile strength of concrete with plastic is also important since the concrete has increased in strength but the mass has barely changed, therefore not affecting the carbon produced in the transportation of it. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 10 batches of concrete bricks were constructed with different amounts and placements of mesh embedded into the cubes. A splitting tensile test was conducted comparing the tensile strength of the different bricks in comparison to a controlled concrete brick. Findings – The bricks with the recycled mesh embedded inside the concrete proved to have on average higher tensile strength than that of concrete, with the sample with one piece of mesh having the highest strength. These findings suggest that plastic mesh with certain placement would work as a tensile reinforcement for concrete. Originality/value – This work presents initial findings from a series of tensile tests. These tests can be replicated and developed to test the tensile strength of concrete over a wider area to then use within the building industry.