Investigation of Magnesium Sulfate Penetration and Retention in Recycled Concrete Incorporating Plastic Waste

Abstract

Concrete is currently a primary construction material that relies heavily on natural aggregates, which are increasingly scarce. At the same time, the growing volume of plastic waste poses a serious threat to the environment. This research aims to investigate the penetration and retention of magnesium sulfate in recycled concrete incorporating recycled aggregates and plastic waste. In this study, plastic waste was used to replace 10% by weight of fine aggregates. The concrete specimens were then cured in a 5% magnesium sulfate solution by weight and examined at 0 and 140 days. The test results revealed that the resistance of recycled concrete containing recycled aggregates and plastic waste to magnesium sulfate penetration decreased over time, leading to significant deterioration. The presence of plastic waste was found to influence the microstructure and permeability of the concrete. This study highlights both the potential and limitations of using plastic waste in recycled concrete and provides a foundation for future research on enhancing the durability of construction materials.