Study of Durability of Siliceous Sand Based Mortars in Togo, and of Binder of Plastic Bags of the Kind “Voltic”: Hydrocarbons’ Effect

Abstract

The present study aims at environmental protection through the use of plastic wastes in the production of mortar. The behavior of siliceous sand-based mortars from Togo and binders of plastic bags of the kind “voltic” is analyzed. Mortar samples from a mixture of siliceous sand and binder of plastic bags are prepared and subjected to physical and mechanical tests after immersion in the hydrocarbon from 0 hour to 504 hours. The result demonstrates that hydrocarbons have no influence on mechanical properties of mortars for an immersion time below 3 hours. Between 3 hours and 24 hours the presence of hydrocarbon increases their physical and mechanical properties. After 24 hours mortars generally lose the mechanical properties of around 8% to 24% due to the loss of viscosity and cohesiveness of the binder caused by the fuel. The behavior in the face of hydrocarbons shows that the material can be used in the surface of roads by carefully avoiding that hydrocarbons remain on the roads for a period of time beyond 24 hours.