Enhancing urban sustainability: a study on lightweight and pervious concrete incorporating recycled plastic

Abstract

Abstract Increasing of plastic waste threatening ecosystems globally, this experimental work investigates recycled plastics as sustainable aggregate replacements in pervious concrete. Pervious concrete allows water passage but has installation/maintenance difficulty due to high weight. This research addresses the lack of eco-friendly lightweight pervious solutions by assessing physical and mechanical performance of mixes with 100% recycled plastic and traditional aggregate percentages. Density reduced 12% using a 100% plastic aggregate mix, achieving 1358 kg/m3 with compressive strength of 3.92 MPa, adequate for non-structural applications. A 7.8% decrease in water absorption versus conventional pervious concrete signifies retained porosity and permeability despite the plastic aggregates. Though early material limitations increase costs over 199.32%, recycled plastics show viability as effective, sustainable substitutes for natural aggregates in lightweight pervious concrete. With further availability and affordability improvements, these recyclable mixes can enable significantly greener construction practices. Findings provide key insights on balancing structural requirements, eco-friendliness and water infiltration capacity in plastic-based lightweight pervious concrete for broader adoption. The research examines the mechanical and durability characteristics of Light-Weight Pervious Concrete (LWPC) composed entirely of plastic aggregate. It also investigates the economic viability and potential for sustainable urban applications. The cost assessment reveals long-term environmental advantages, even though the initial expenses are higher. Additionally, the study considers an eco-friendly approach that combines plant growth with pervious concrete to promote greater sustainability.

Keywords

• Light weight
• Pervious concrete
• Plastic waste
• Sustainability
• Recycled aggregate