Plastic Wastes as Components of Plaster Mortars for the Seismic Retrofitting of Buildings

This research work is devoted to using plastic wastes, the most significant cause of modern pollution and global warming, as components of plaster mortars to find a new technique for the seismic retrofitting of existing masonry buildings. Therefore, the research aims to increase the sustainability of constructions through plastic trashes recyclability. By changing the percentage of two different types of plastic fibres (Plexiglass and PET) from 0,5% to 2% within a green mortar mixture composed of sand, lime, and water, the mechanical and physical properties of the reinforced mortars have been investigated through laboratory tests. The experimental activities show positive results in terms of strength and deformation capacities of the used fibre-reinforced mortar, which could be exploited to increase the seismic performance of existing masonry walls subjected to seismic loads.