Incorporation of Marine Microplastics and Debris into Eco-Friendly Construction Materials – Application on Concrete Panels

Abstract

Modern infrastructure, with its varied assets, relies on two basic pillar components: concrete and cement. However, the extensive need for these elements creates a big strain on the levels of the global economy and the environment. This is interpreted by the current rising prices of concrete, which result normally from the increasing cost of raw ingredients and the supply limitations with the diminution of natural sand and other aggregates, knowing that these are naturally categorized as non-renewable resources and that they are, unfortunately, extracted at unviable or unsustainable rates. It's beyond question that the unsustainable extraction of resources like sand and gravel at such an increasing rate would lead to diminishing natural resources and disrupted environmental rhythms with altered waterways- all moving parallel with the current increasing demand for these materials. On the other side of the picture, we can observe a parallel environmental issue, which is the uncontrollable accumulation of plastic waste in aquatic environments. The amount of plastic dumped into oceans is estimated in millions of tons each year, all at the sake of the marine ecosystems, the diversity of marine populations, and the related humans' means of subsistence. The rationale underpinning the solution for this issue lies in innovative measures of recovering and reusing these plastic wastes. Thus, this research aims to create a common approach that tackles both issues. It mainly addresses the substitution of aggregates- whether fine or coarse or both combined- with fine or coarse plastics wastes thrown in marine areas. The approach will reflect in less reliance on mined aggregates, lower production costs of concrete, and an eco-friendly handling of plastic wastes. Extensive experimentations will be carried on various blends and mixtures of these substitutes, to determine the best plastics replacement approach. Consequently, further investigations and different replacements ratios will be assessed for the selected plastics type in order to study their mechanical behavior. Finally, the findings of these experimentations will facilitate the use of the ideal mixes in the production of masonry blockworks and concrete panels. The envisioned outcome of this study is to find a cost- efficient and resource-conscious alternative for concrete and cement-based materials that serves the demand for quality constructive material, reduces environmental exhaustion of natural aggregates, and helps solve the hazards of plastic wastes. This research will incorporate waste recovery techniques and wise environmental planning to create a highly-demanded construction material at lower costs and high quality. This will reflect on mutual sustainability in both industry and environment.