20.500.12556/RUL-166779 The impact of recycled polyethylene terephthalate as aggregate replacement on mechanical and ecotoxicological properties of mortar The purpose of the study was to determine the mechanical and ecotoxicological properties of mortars with differently shaped recycled PET plastics as a partial natural aggregate replacement and assess its environmental impact. Different methods were used for determining mechanical properties, while ecotoxicity tests with two types of plants were performed for the assessment of the ecotoxicological potential of mortars. Results of strength tests revealed that PET in mortars increased 28-day compressive strength by up to 3% and decreased flexural strength by up to 14% compared to conventional mortar. Ultrasonic pulse velocity and dynamic modulus of elasticity were lower in PET mortars, while XRD and SEM-EDS showed fewer hydration products in PET mortars. Duckweed ecotoxicity test results revealed that frond growth inhibition values in PETS and conventional mortar leachate (100 g L$^{−1}$) were around 50%, while root growth inhibition values did not exceed 40%. Mustard seed germination test results revealed root growth inhibition values in both mortar leachates were lower than 20%. Ecotoxicity tests showed that conventional and PET mortar were non-toxic to duckweed in aquatic environments and non-toxic to mustard seeds in terrestrial environments. Characterization of mortar leachates showed a significant increase in chloride, Ca, Si, and Ba content as potential causes for growth inhibition of both plants. Plastic waste reduction due to the potential use of PET in mortars confirmed that plastic waste could be completely eliminated and the global consumption of primary natural resources for concrete production reduced up to 4%. Such an approach could increase mortar sustainability. cement mortar ecotoxicological properties mechanical properties natural aggregate recycled PET plastic plastic waste reduction sustainability cementna malta ekotoksikološke lastnosti mehanske lastnosti naravni agregati reciklirana PET plastika zmanjšanje količine plastičnih odpadkov trajnost true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Članek v reviji 2025-01-24 11:51:16 2025-01-24 11:51:18 2025-01-25 04:13:10 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 28 str. iss. 1, art. 8 Vol. 10 Feb. 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 502/504:666.971.4:678.742.2 2313-4321 10.3390/recycling10010008 222653699 RAZ_Legan_Masa_2025.pdf RAZ_Legan_Masa_2025.pdf 1 BA1F545A959DBCCBFC8DC251BB5A74DF bd133e0c45176fb6bef60da22b13dc7598ff3df5dae8e2ca9020307e224ef57c 251aaea4-da41-11ef-b232-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=198669 https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/10/1/8 1 5809fa84-da40-11ef-b232-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=198668 Fakulteta za kemijo in kemijsko tehnologijo Fakulteta za gradbeništvo in geodezijo 0 0 0