Performance evaluation of an alternative composite for urban systems and low-cost housing

Abstract This paper presents a cement composite, industrial sludge waste and PET flakes composite, aiming at its potentialization for possible use in urban systems and low-cost housing. It is justified by the socio-environmental problems related to the consumption of natural raw materials and by the inappropriate disposal of products and waste in the environment. Hence, the proportions 1:3, 1:4 and 1:5 of cement and residues were tested, with sludge volume substitutions by PET at the rates of 10%, 20% and 30%. Physical-mechanical properties such as compressive strength, water absorption and porosity at 28 and 90 days were evaluated in non-degraded samples, in addition to friction wear parameters. The physical-mechanical properties were also measured at 35 and 42 days in samples that underwent accelerated degradation cycles. In general, there was an increase in mechanical strength with curing and a decrease with the insertion of sludge. The material showed low degradation in the wear tests. As for water absorption and porosity, the values increased with the addition of residue and with curing, easily bypassed with the reduction of sludge and the adoption of waterproofing solutions.