Cementitious Grouts Containing Irradiated Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate

Abstract

This chapter describes a review of the design and formulation of various cementitious grouts for semi-flexible pavement surfaces. Additionally, the authors also conducted extensive experimental work on the possibility of using a most effective and innovative way of recycling waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by exposing to gamma radiation and using as a replacement of Ordinary portland cement in the formulation of cement grouts for semi-flexible pavement surfaces. In the current study, cement in the grouts was replaced with PET (regular and irradiated), fly ash and silica fume and was evaluated for flowability and strength properties. The study concludes that normal PET causes a significant reduction in compressive strength, however, some of the strength is restored when irradiated PET was used. The recycling of waste PET, as a cement replacement in the cementitious grouts for semi-flexible pavement surfaces, with the irradiation process can be doubled as compared to utilizing normal/regular PET.