Strain Capacity and Cracking Resistance Improvement in Mortars by Adding Plastic Particles

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Abstract
The brittleness and the sensitivity to shrinkage cracking of cementitious materials are real handicaps that can limit their durability performance. Enhancing the cracking resistance and strain capacity of cement-based materials is the challenge of broad ongoing research programs. In this regard, the present paper focuses on the design of a mortar exhibiting a high straining capacity before macrocracking localization. It was assumed that the incorporation of aggregates with high deformability could be a solution. Two types of plastic wastes (PET and PC) available in large quantities were used as a partial replacement for natural aggregates in mortar. The experimental results showed that the incorporation of plastic aggregates in cementitious material is a suitable solution to limit its brittleness. Despite the decrease in mechanical strength and the increase of free shrinkage length change, these composites exhibited a considerable improvement of strain capacity and cracking resistance. The plastic...

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