EFFECT OF USING SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF SAND ON CHARACTERISTICS OF MORTAR

Abstract

This study used recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) granules to partly replace fine aggregate in mortar. This aims to offer a green solution and reduce the use of natural sand, which may run short in the future. PET was added in different amounts: 0%, 5%, 7.5%, and 15%. The study tested how this change affected the strength and physical features of the mortar. Cube and cylinders samples were used. The cube sizes were 50×50×50 mm and 150×150×150 mm. The cylinder size was 75×75 mm. Tests showed that adding PET changed the mortar’s strength and other properties. As the PET amount increased, both the mortar’s weight (density) and its strength went down after 28 days. The amount of water the mortar could absorb and how deep water could enter and propagate it also changed based on the PET content. The study found the best PET amount to use as a sand replacement.