Comparing Short-Term Performance of Corrugated HDPE Pipe Made with or without Recycled Resins for Transportation Infrastructure Applications

Abstract

In recent years, corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes manufactured from recycled resins have been on the rise for infrastructure sectors as a result of their numerous advantages. Compared to HDPE pipes made with virgin resins, these recycled pipes help solve the problem of plastic-waste management and the environmental impacts of waste. In addition, using recycled materials makes HDPE pipe more sustainable and cost effective. One question stands out: Will HDPE pipes made with recycled resins have the same performance and durability as virgin pipes under the impact of thermal stress during the burial process, environmental variations, and traffic load? This issue needs to be clarified because the demand for recycled pipes is increasing. The aim of this paper is to improve the knowledge to compare the short-term performance of these two types of pipes. The specimens came from four different North American manufacturers with their own production processes. This study provides more detailed data on physicochemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of HDPE pipes. These properties were tested on laboratory equipment according to ASTM standards. The test results can be used to estimate some aspects of the long-term characteristics of HDPE pipes.