Evaluation of High-Strength Plastics in Urban Furniture: A Comparison of Materials and their Use in Particular Public Spaces

International Journal of Civil Engineering
© 2026 by SSRG - IJCE Journal
Volume 13 Issue 2
Year of Publication : 2026
Authors : Lileana Carolina Saavedra Robles, Bryan Alfonso Colorado Pástor, Juan Carlos Briones Macias, José Luis Viteri Morales, Pedro Napoleón Chara Moreira, Rosanna Elizabeth Rivera Castro
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Lileana Carolina Saavedra Robles, Bryan Alfonso Colorado Pástor, Juan Carlos Briones Macias, José Luis Viteri Morales, Pedro Napoleón Chara Moreira, Rosanna Elizabeth Rivera Castro, "Evaluation of High-Strength Plastics in Urban Furniture: A Comparison of Materials and their Use in Particular Public Spaces," SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 13,  no. 2, pp. 34-46, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V13I2P103

Abstract:

Street furniture in public spaces in high-risk areas meets two fundamental requirements for its designation: exposure to extreme climates and adverse weather conditions such as floods or landslides. Therefore, this article is based on an evaluation of the materials currently used in street furniture in high-risk areas, taking as a case study the informal settlement of the Sergio Toral Cooperative in Guayaquil. The overall objective of the study is to assess the current condition of the materials and propose solutions using high-density plastics to improve their long-term resistance and maintenance. In conclusion, it was determined that, with varying dosages of plastic alloys (1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) and the addition of recycled HDPE plastic spheres, PVC fibers, and cement, the best results were obtained at the 3% and 4% dosages, particularly in sunlight, and with increased water absorption and dissipation. A hybrid material with absorbent and waterproofing properties was developed, resulting in a material more resistant to cracking and breakage, and with a 22% increase in its elastic properties.

Keywords:

Street furniture, High-strength plastics, Sustainability, Material evaluation.

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