JASC: JOURNAL OF APPLIED SCIENCE AND COMPUTATIONS ISSN NO: 0076-5131

Experimental Investigation of Plastic Waste as Replacement of Fine

Aggregate in Manufacturing of Bricks
Ponrajkumar P., Velumani M.
Department of Structural Engineering, K.S.R.College of Technology,Tiruchengode,Tamilnadu, India.

Email: ponrajkumar191@gmail.com, Mvelumani84@gmail.com.

Abstract-Plastic is a non-bio-degradable substance which takes thousands of years to decompose that creates land as
well as water pollution to the environment. Plastics are the one which posse’s important problem in disposal and still the
absolute solutions were not determined. For solving this issue, plastics is replaced in a bricks to achieve the nominal
strength. The present work is performing to manufacture bricks or building blocks from sand and waste plastics. High-
density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyethylene (PE) plastic bottles and bags were collected and cleaned then mixed with
sand with various proportions to achieve the strength of the nominal bricks and also to posses thermal and sound
insulation. To predict the strongest specimen, 0 % to 20 % of replacement proportion was done by crushed plastics.
Plastic is partially replaced as fine aggregate in manufacturing of bricks (5 %, 10 %, 15 %, 20 %) in 14 days of curing. The
result in increase the strength of structure and weight reduction of bricks was tested for compressive strength and water
absorption test. Based on the comparison of fly ash brick and plastic brick, optimum strength was analyzed. Plastic waste
is naturally available in adequate quantity. This is one of the best way to avoid accumulation. This paper reviews the
reduction of plastic disposal and the results are clearly shows that some part of plastics can be definitely used in the
production of bricks.

Keywords---Plastic, Brick, Fine Aggregate, High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE), Poly Ethylene (PE).

I. INTRODUCTION
Plastic waste is naturally available in adequate quantity. This is one of the best way to avoid accumulation. Plastic made up
12% of the 254 million tons was generated in 2007(The environmental production agency reports). The amount of
generation of plastic waste is increasing day by day and proper disposal method for waste plastics are not channelized even
today.

a) Types of Plastics: Plastic is classified into two types, thermoplastic and thermoset plastic. Thermoplastic is a type of
plastic which is recyclable and further molded into another structure. These plastics are polyethylene, polypropylene,
polyamide, polyoxymethylene, poli tetra fluro ethylene and poly ethylene terepthalate. Second type is thermosetting plastic.
This type of plastic has a property of unchangeable molecular chains because molecular chains are strongly bonded with
crosslink. Some examples are melamine, epoxy resin, polyurethane, phenolic and silicone. Reuse of thermosetting plastic
waste can help in reducing the pollution caused due to burning, and cost will be reduced up to some extent. In India used
plastics are not properly disposed and it creates the lot of environmental issues. Open burning of plastics leads to air
pollution.

b) Remedies for Plastic Waste: To avoid these problems reusing of plastics should be improvised for several works with
economic and environmental feasibility. Recycling the plastics has advantages since it is widely used and has a long service
life.

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Which means that the waste is being removed from the waste stream for a long period. Because the amount of clay
required to make bricks is large, the environmental benefits are not only related to the safe disposal of bulk waste, but also
to the reduction of environmental impacts that arise due to burning of plastics. This paper mainly focused to find the
proper disposal options for plastics and also to motivate the use of plastic in the production of building materials etc.

c) Advantages of Plastic Bricks:

Energy conservative

Thermal and sound insulation Better usage and strength Cost effective and low maintenance Eco friendly

Encourages entrepreneur for setting business

Reduces the intensity of plastic on earth

II. LITERATURE REVIEW

Prem kumar et al (Aug 2017), shows that the replacement of plastics from 0 to 20% of was done by crushed plastics like
high density polyethylene and polyethylene plastic bottles and bags. The result show that partial replacement of natural
sand by crushed waste plastics at the levels of 5 to 10 % has good effects on compressive strength of the bricks. When the
bricks going beyond 20 % of plastics replacement reduce the compressive strength compared with the outer sample
Lairenlakpam Billygraham Singh (Mar 2017), observed from this the plastics and sand was taken in a proportion of 1:1.5 (1
plastics and 1.5 sand) by weight and are heated in containers at approximately 200 degree C. The bulk density of specimen
is observed that having 14.38 KN/m3.Lower the bulk density of sand plastic bricks could help in reduction of dead loads.
The compressive strength of plastic bricks is 10.6 Mpa and the normal bricks 3.5 Mpa

R.Sujithra, R.Selvaraman et al (Apr 2017), obtained from this the Plastic bricks increases the compressive strength when
compared to fly ash bricks. By use of plastic sand bricks, the water absorption presence of alkalies was highly reduced. The
mix ratio of 1:5 (1 plastic and 5 plastic) gives the best result compared to flyash bricks.

Shikhar Shrimali et al (Jun 2017), determined from this the type A 5 kg of plastics used in 22 X 10 X 5.5 mould and the
compressive strength 90.86 kg/cm.Sq. In type B 10kg of plastics used in 22 X 10 X 5.6 mould and the compressive
strength is 128.91 kg/cm.Sq. In type C 15 kg of 22.5 X 9.5 X 5.8 mould and the compressive strength is 198.45 kg /cm.Sq.
Due to some physical and chemical properties of plastics, this can be disadvantageous to the brick, created from it.

Ronak Shah et al (Oct 2017), shows that the Compressive strength test was performed on the plastic dust bricks in areas
of strength was found to be 6.66 N/mm2 which is higher than the red clay bricks. The water absorption is higher in
comparison to conventional block. To manufacture these bricks they are burnt in alkaline which creates large amount of
pollution and toxic gases.

Maneeth P D et al (Mar 2014), obtained from this the laterite soil waste was collected from rock is used as replacement of
sand. There are two types of plastics used in this High Density

Polyethylene(HDPE) and Poly-ethylene teryphthalate(PET).In this work an attempt has been made to manufacture bricks
by using waste plastic in range of 60 % to 80 % by weight of laterite quarry waste in molten form, which acts as a binder.
Plastic-soil bricks for various percentages of plastic content by weight of soil with constant binder content of 2 % by
weight of soil, it is observed that both 65 % and 70 % of plastic contain by weight of soil gives same compressive
strength(8.16 N/mm2), but 70 % plastic is considered as optimum in view of workability criteria.

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Benny Mathews Abraham et al (Oct 2012), shows that the plastic fiber chopped from mineral water bottle is found to be
inconsistent with soil in enhancing the compressive strength. Plastic fiber in chopped form from and mineral water bottles
were added 0.1 % and 0.2 % .Blocks with 0.1 % plastic fibers showed an increase in strength of about 3 % to 10 %.

Keerti M Nashimath et al (Oct 2016), determined from this the compressive strength increases with increase in plastic
content. With the maximum plastic and bitumen content the higher value of compressive strength is observed. For 85%
plastic 12% bitumen content the compressive strength increased to 6.56N/mm2. For different plastic contents with
bitumen content 8 % the compressive strength is decreased. The maximum compressive strength obtained is 6.56 N/mm2
which is nearly equal to the compressive strength of second class brick 7 N/mm2.

Sankuru Naresh et al (Apr 2016), analysed that the Eco bricks also known as bottle bricks are made with the help of plastic
waste, which is otherwise harmful for all living beings. The cost of this construction can reduce 33 % cost of house made
of concrete and bricks. It provides insulation to the building. On melting it releases a compound gas which is very harmful
to the health and environment.

Nitin Goyal et AL (Mar 2014), shows that the Eco bricks also known as bottle bricks are made with the help of plastic
waste. The cost of this construction can be reduced upto 33 % of the house made from concrete and bricks.It provides
insulation to the building

Noel Deepak Shiri et al (Apr 2016), determined from this work effectively converts waste plastic into useful building
materials like building bricks and floor interlocks which can effectively reduce the environmental pollution and further
decreases the problem of waste plastics in the society. Rather than the waste plastics going into the landfill or incinerators
it can be used as construction materials at a much lower cost after undergoing certain specific processing. It also reduces
the construction cost by eliminating the use of mortar during construction by using recyclable plastic / composite bricks
and floor interlocks. From the compression testing results we come to know that waste plastics material when effectively
mixed with Rubber powder and Calcium Carbonate gives the highest compressive strength and sustains high compressive
load.

Shanmugavalli et al (Feb 2017), shows that the mix proportion in the ratio of 1:1.5:2:0.75 (1 is plastic, 1.5 is quarry dust, 2
is gravel, 0.75 is ceramic waste). The compressive strength result for this is 13.03 N/mm2.It also shows good heat
resistance. However, the compressive strength is low when compared to the concrete paver block it can be used in
gardens, pedestrian path and cycle way etc.

Gopu Moha et al (Apr 2016), observed that the plastic bricks in the ratio of 70:25:5 (70 % M sand ,25 % plastics and 5 %
thermocol gets the compressive strength is 11 N/mm2.Thermocol acts as the binder and so it has very high strength.

Himanshu Sharma (Apr 2017), shows that the PET bottles filled with sand, soil, fly-ash or any other material like
household plastic waste when well compacted can be used as a building material replacing traditional bricks.

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Best results were obtained by bottle sample filled with fly ash and sand in a ratio 2:1 resisting a compressive strength of
22,000 kg .The results indicated that the wall resists almost 50 % less load as compared to individual block, may be due to
mortar interlocking. Eco-bricks also do not permit light to pass through then as when seen by naked eyes.

Simanshu et al (Jan 2017), observed from this the bottle houses are bio-climatic in design, which means that when it is
cold outside is warm inside and vice versa. Comparison between the walls by Plastic Bottles wall and Brick Wall for
construction Time and speed of Execution for 5 persons team-one working day for plastic wall is 15 % faster and for brick
wall 120 sq.m.

Dinesh et al (Mar 2016), determined from this the plastic sand brick has low alkali content and so a little white patch is
formed over the surface. The mix design ratio 1:2 (1 plastics and 2 sand) gives the required compressive strength 4.65
N/mm2.

Sohrab Veiseh et al (Mar 2016), analysed from this the Increasing the polystyrene foam additive, the compressive strength
and density of the bricks decreases, though the water absorption increases. Adding even 2% of recycled polystyrene foam
keeps the compressive strength of the resulted bricks as suitable for load bearing ordinary bricks according to the Indian
standard. Thermal conductivity of lightweight polymeric bricks made of 1.5 % recycled PSF is ¼ of that of ordinary
bricks, so it causes a considerable effect on energy saving in building

András Makai et al (Apr 2016), shows that the One setting method can be to mix into the mixture of furnace fly-ash and
ca(oh)2 which can result in a similar building material, but its bonding mechanism is closer to that of concrete as it is a
hydraulic binder. Brick-making factories can use the fine powder produced during grinding as a pore forming aggregate or
plaster-making firms mix it to heat insulating plasters. Adding it to hard clay bearing ground, it breaks that ground,
promotes the working of drainage, allocates the roots to air thus speeds up the plants growing.

Neha Mumtaz et al (Jan 2016), shows that the softening temperature of PET, PE was 170̊ C at that point it not produce
any noxious gas. The compressive strength of clay bricks is found to be 7.6 N/mm2 and fly ash & plastic bricks are found
to be 9.7 N/mm2.The average absorbed moisture content of clay bricks is found to be 11.9 % and for fly ash & plastic
bricks is found to be 2.75 %.

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Nivetha C et al (Feb 2011 ), analysed that the Plastic waste is carried to melt and mixed with a varying proportion of solid
waste fly ash and quarry dust (PET 25-35 % fly ash 25 % and quarry dust 40 % - 50 % in weight). It is found that the
proportion PPB-2 which having the PET- 30 %, Fly-ash-25 % and Quarry dust 45 % gives more strength when
comparing with all other proportions.PPB-2 gives 52.34 N/mm2 is highest compressive strength comparing to others.

III. CONCLUSION
A study on the effect of addition of waste plastics to bricks production in different Percentages subjected to water curing
is conducted to find the characteristic compressive strength and water absorption value of bricks.

The test results show that the partial replacement of natural sand by crushed waste plastics at the levels of 5 to 10
percentages has good effects on compressive strength of the bricks.

However, 20 percentage of replacement of waste plastics reduces the compressive strength compared with that of the
control sample.

Water absorption has attained desirable value for all the type of mix proportions. By use of plastic sand bricks, the water
absorption presence of alkalies was highly reduced.

It also helps in reducing the usage of natural resources which are utilized during the manufacturing of burnt bricks; also it
reduces the pollution which is generated from kiln during brick manufacturing.

Its uses are not restricted as only brick; it can even be utilized as a building block by increasing the dimension of the
mould. Also, it reduces the use of wire used for fencing. Floor tiles, sleepers, etc.. Can also be produced from it.

This brick also turns out to be economical than conventional brick, by reducing the cost of incinerators for burning
purpose and landfills.

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