Science and Technology Education Center

Science and Technology High School

Basak, Lapu-Lapu City

Project PlastBrick: Comparative Analysis and Characterization of Concrete Pavers

Reinforced with Polyethylene Plastics

Category: Physical Science

(Individual)

Researcher
James Y. Limboy

Research Adviser
Dr. Bryant C. Acar
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. RESEARCH PLAN

Rationale

Hypothesis

Research Questions

Engineering Goals and Expected Outcomes

Description in Detail of Method or Procedures

Data Analysis

Risk and Safety

References

Forms

B. ABSTRACT

C. RESEARCH INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study 1

Research Objectives 4

Hypothesis………………………………………………………………………………....5

Significance of Study………………………….………………………………………......6

Conceptual Framework…………………………………….……………………………...7

Definition of Terms……………………………………………………………………....10
Review of Related Literature…………………………………………………………….12

D. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design …………………………………………………………………………36

Research Environment …………………………………………………………………..37

Research Participants …………………………………………………………………....39

E. MATERIALS AND INSTRUMENT ……………………………………..40

F. METHODS AND PROCEDURES ………………………………………..45

G. RESULTS …………………………………………………………………..52

H. DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS …………………………………….........75

I. SCOPE AND LIMITATION…..…………………………………………..88

J. .CONCLUSION …………………………………………………………....89

K. RECOMMENDATION ……………………………………………………90

L. BIBLIOGRAPHY ...………………………………………………….…….91

M. APPENDICES

Proposed Budget

Project Documentation

Logbook

Test Results
 RESEARCH PLAN
Project Title: Project PlastBricks: Comparative Analysis and Characterization of Concrete Pavers

Reinforced with Polyethylene Plastics

Researcher: James Limboy

A. Rationale

Plastic pollution kills marine life and its respective ecosystem. It affects the world as a

whole. Not only that, plastic takes centuries just to degrade, and the pile just keeps growing

and growing. The evidence could not be any more apparent or damning. This is the reason

why the study will be initiated in the first place. To solve the problem of reducing plastic

pollution in the environment. To stop the decline of the health and safety of every single

living being on this planet. Because if action is not taken soon enough, everyone, innocent

or guilty will have to pay the price for the actions of the people who came before and the

ones still here.

While it is likely impossible to completely remove plastics from people’s lives, steps can

be taken to mitigate its harmful effects. When this study is finally out there, people will see

an alternative to handling plastic waste. Aspiring individuals will be inspired to find new

ways to help save the environment from plastic pollution. The world’s oceans will be

cleaner than it ever was before. Consumers will learn the consequences of continuing to

improperly handle plastic waste. Construction companies have a new resource to make use

of. Governments can see the potential of improving the living situation of their people.

Most importantly, someone, a group or even a whole global community can finally make a

difference.
B. Hypothesis:

HOI: There will be no significant difference between PlastBrick with Low-Density

Polyethylene aggregate, PlastBrick with PET bottle aggregates and the commercialized

paving block in terms of Compressive Strength, and Water Absorption.

C. Research Objectives

In course of the study, the researchers will seek to answer the following questions;

1. What will be the materials needed to make PlastBricks?

2. What methods will be used in making PlastBricks?

3. How effective will the PlastBricks be in terms of;

3.1. Low-Density Polyethylene

3.1.1. Compressive Strength; and

3.1.2. Water Absorption?

3.2. PET Bottles

3.2.1. Compressive Strength; and

3.2.2. Water Absorption?

4. Will there be a significant difference of the PlastBricks and the Standard Paving Blocks in

terms of the following;

4.1. Compressive Strength; and

4.2. Water Absorption?

5. What will be the surface characterization of PlastBricks after undergoing a Field Emission

Scanning Election Microscope (FESEM);

5.1. Low-Density Polyethylene; and

 5.2. PET Bottles?

D. Engineering Goals and Expected Outcomes

The goal of this proposal will be to produce a stronger, more durable and more functional

paving block that can possibly surpass the strength, functionality, and durability of the

commercialized product within the market with a cheaper price due to less consumption of

sand and gravel and will possibly lessen excessive mining within the local area and will

greatly reduce plastic pollution because the proponents believe that this method will be an

effective way of recycling plastic wastes. The researchers hope that this study will then

persuade the local government to adapt this practice within the municipality, and will then

be passed regionally, and possibly national, and in the near future, within the global

community to reduce the prevalence on plastic waste and to preserve nature both land and

marine all around the world.

E. Description in Detail of Method or Procedures

Procedures

The study will begin by collecting and gathering of materials such as PET bottles and

low-density polyethylene plastics that are mainly needed to construct the PlastBricks,

within the vicinity of Lapu-Lapu City. After collecting the materials and segregating them

correspondingly, the researches will then shred the low-density polyethylene plastics at the

Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) Casanta Soong Lapu-Lapu City. The PET bottles will

be shredded at Well Well Metalworks & Fabrication, Barangay Sun-ok, Consolacion,

Cebu, serving as aggregates. The experimental group will be utilized to determine the

efficiency of 2.5% aggregate percentage of PET bottles and 2.5% aggregate of low- density
 plastics in paving blocks. After that, the blocks will be molded at Archival’s Eco-House

located at Sitio Ylaya, Talamban, Mandaue City and will be prepared for 3 days in order to

be tested at E.B. Testing Center Incorporated located at 254 Sikatuna Street, Cebu City for

functionality testings namely; Compressive Strength, Water Absorption, and Block Density

—while the scanning of the surface of the PlastBricks will be done at University of San

Carlos – Physics Department located at Fr. Lawrence Bunzel Bldg., Talamban Campus.

After the intervention, the researchers will gather the data results of each the test of

functionality; namely, these are compressive strength, water absorption, and block density.

A qualified Civil Engineer (expert) will test the functionality of the PlastBricks. We will

then compare the two groups based on the following; data test results of experimental

group (2.5% PET bottles and 2.5% low-density plastic aggregate percentage in paving

blocks separately) and control group; and the data results of different experimental groups.

F. Analysis of Data

Weighted Mean will be utilized to rate the functionality of the paving blocks and SPSS

version 21 application will be used to check the data results. If the data will be normal then,

the researchers will use a parametric test, specifically, independent t-test to test the

difference of the data results; but if the data will not be normal, then the researchers will

use non-parametric test, specifically Mann-Whitney test, to test the difference between the

results

Units of measurement include; Pounds per square inch (Psi) and Megapascals (MPa) for

Compressive Strength; and grams for the Water Absorption.

G. Risk and Safety

 The study that will be conducted by the researcher will include risk and hazards within

the workplace and laboratory. Before the experimentation, the researcher will gather

materials such as low-density plastics, PET bottles, Portland cement, sand, and iron oxide.

These materials will possibly cause risk in the health of the researcher. The following are

the risk before the experiment:

• Abrasion sand, contained in fresh concrete, is abrasive to bare skin.

• Portland cement has a mixture that is caustic to skin, small particles from

the cement can directly contact to the eyes and can trigger asthma.

• Plastic wastes can cause skin irritations and fungal infections.

During the experimentation, there are some threats in the health of the researcher

that may cause minor effect of the body and the worst-case scenario will be

malfunction in the body system. The following are the risk during the experiment:

• During the shredding procedure, the tiny pieces of shredded plastics might

fly over the eye of the researcher; hence, it might cause eye irritations and, in the

worst scenario, permanent eye damage.

• During the compressive strength test, the tiny pieces of the PlastBricks can

cause eye irritations and damage. On the other hand, the dust particles can trigger

asthma.

• One of the procedures of conducting Field Emission Scanning Electron

Microscope is putting nitrogen in the sample plate before viewing the images of

the sample. Moreover, too much inhalation of nitrogen gas can cause decrease in

the function of thyroid gland, lessen the capacity of blood cells in carrying

oxygen, shortage of Vitamin A, and fashioning of nitro amines.

 In order to ensure the safeness in conducting the study, the researcher will ensure the

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), specifically, the safety goggles, a pair of gloves, and

mask. Also, the researcher will require guidance from the people who will be involved in

the field of study.

H. Bibliography

Abreo, Neil Angelo S., Edison Macusi, Ginalyn Cuenca, Cyril Tom Ranara, Michael Andam,
Lemuel Cardona and Glio Florgiley Arabejo. "Nutrient Enrichment, Sedimentation, Heavy
Metals and Plastic Pollution in the Marine Environment and its Implications on Philippine
Marine Biodiversity: A Review." IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and
Conservation 15 (2015): 112-113

Cement Matrix Products Sectional Committee. “Indian Standards: Hollow and Solid Concrete
Blocks.” Bureau of Indian Standards. August, 2005.https://www.google.com/url?
sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.iitk.ac.in/ce/test/IS-
codes/is.2185.1.2005.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj206DTyJPjAhUKE4gKHXnVB5kQFjAAegQI
AxAB&usg=AOvVaw1wCLAzN9TmTExEkyc-eBb5&cshid=1561984792126.

Dilara, P. A., and D. Briassoulis. "Degradation and stabilization of low-density polyethylene films
used as greenhouse covering materials." Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research 76,
no. 4 (2000): 309-321.

Earth Day Network. “Fact Sheet: How Much Disposable Plastic We Use.” Earthday.org. 2019.
https://www.earthday.org/2018/04/18/fact-sheet-how-much-disposable-plastic-we-use/

Jassim, Ahmad K. "Recycling of polyethylene waste to produce plastic

cement." ProcediaManufacturing 8 (2017): 635-642
 INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Everywhere and every day, we are surrounded by a menagerie of plastic items; in

particular we have plastic toys, household goods, and computers, only to name a few. These

plastic items are usually used and then thrown away irresponsibly, making it one of the fastest

growing problems in the world at the present time. Most of the time, trillions of these plastics

end up in our landfills and in different bodies of water. It is a problem because these plastics

usually take a long time to break down and sometimes, decomposition does not take place at all.

This can have an incredibly negative impact on human health because improper disposal of

plastics can produce toxic chemicals both in bodies of land and water. Not only is it detrimental

to the human health, but it can also negatively affect the wildlife as they can get entangled with

the plastics and sometimes, they mistake it for their food which can either choke them or make

them starve to death.

As stated by the United Nations Environment, ever since the early 1950s, researchers

have calculated that more than 8.3 billion tons of plastic has been manufactured and about 60%

of these end up in either our natural habitat or in landfills. Since then, the rate of plastic

production has sprouted faster than any other materials manufactured.

In fact, in the Philippines, 2.7 million tons of waste are made every year but unfortunately

about half a million tons of plastic waste are dumped into the ocean. Efforts to improve waste

management and recycling have been in progress for years. But almost over 900 open dumpsites

are still present in the country despite the law that supposed them to be closed. Waste
management is almost non-existent in the smaller islands of the Philippines. This is very

troubling due to the fact that problem with plastic pollution is not improving by any significant

margin.

According to the study that Fernandez conducted, 70% of drainages in Cebu is clogged

with trashes. This is due to the continuous and improper disposal of garbage’s mostly in bodies

of water. This is a problem because the clogged drainage can be an environmental hazard for this

can lead to poor sanitation and the water that runs over the ground when it is raining will pick up

feces and will contaminate the water resources which will contribute to the spread of diseases

and the because the drainage is clogged, it will also cause flooding.

The researchers have seen all of this happen and affect the environment everywhere, both

directly and indirectly. Plastic pollution kills marine life and its respective ecosystem. It affects

the world as a whole. Not only that, plastic takes centuries just to degrade, and the pile just keeps

growing and growing. The evidence could not be any more apparent or damning. This is the

reason why the study was initiated in the first place. To solve the problem of reducing plastic

pollution in the environment. To stop the decline of the health and safety of every single living

being on this planet. Because if action is not taken soon enough, everyone, innocent or guilty

will have to pay the price for the actions of the people who came before and the ones still here.

While it is likely impossible to completely remove plastics from people’s lives, steps can

be taken to mitigate its harmful effects. When this study is finally out there, people will see an

alternative to handling plastic waste. Aspiring individuals will be inspired to find new ways to

help save the environment from plastic pollution. The world’s oceans will be cleaner than it ever

was before. Consumers will learn the consequences of continuing to improperly handle plastic
waste. Construction companies have a new resource to make use of. Governments can see the

potential of improving the living situation of their people. Most importantly, someone, a group or

even a whole global community can finally make a difference.

Research Questions

This engineering research aimed to produce PlastBricks: Comparative Analysis and

Characterization of Concrete Pavers Reinforced with Polyethylene Plastics specifically PET

bottles and Low-density Polyethylene Plastics.

Specifically sought to answer the following questions;

6. What are the materials needed to make PlastBricks?

7. What methods are used in making PlastBricks?

8. How effective is the PlastBricks be in terms of;

8.1. Low-Density Polyethylene

8.1.1. Compressive Strength; and

8.1.2. Water Absorption?

8.2. PET Bottles

8.2.1. Compressive Strength; and

8.2.2. Water Absorption?

9. Is there a significant difference of the PlastBricks and the Standard Paving Blocks in terms

of the following;

9.1. Compressive strength; and

9.2. Water Absorption?

10. What is the surface characterization of PlastBricks after undergoing a Field Emission

Scanning Election Microscope (FESEM);

10.1. Low-Density Polyethylene; and

10.2. PET Bottles?

Hypothesis
HOI: There is no significant difference between PlastBrick with Low-Density Polyethylene

aggregate, PlastBrick with PET bottle aggregates and the commercialized paving block in

terms of Compressive Strength, and Water Absorption.

Significance of the Study

The rapid rise of urbanization in our country has contributed to the destruction of nature.

Which then results to climate change, increase in pollutants, and spread of solid waste. However,

through this study and its results, an intervention program will be proposed in order to provide

the following benefits:

Residents. This study will inform the residents who live locally, on the impact of plastics

on their life and the study can suggest a more efficient way on recycling solid waste such as

plastics and buy cheaper environmentally friendly materials for their homes.

Community. The community will actively engage in the recycling of plastics through the

method presented, prevent pollution and will be able to quickly build houses when disasters

emerge.

DENR. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be able to utilize an

alternative method to deal with waste, reduce pollution and help sustain a clean and healthy

environment by using strong and affordable materials.

DPWH. The Department of Public Works and Highways will then use ‘PlastBricks’ as

replacements to commercialized paver blocks for sidewalks and improve the country through

quality infrastructure that is cheaper than conventional blocks.

Construction Companies. Construction companies will be able to make use of

environmentally friendly building materials which would reduce the amount of plastic waste

thrown into landfills and are inexpensive, safe, and durable.

 Landscaping Companies. The ‘PlastBricks’ blocks can provide a way for landscape

companies to make a landscaping bin that keeps rock, mulch, and the other aggregates organized

and provide sustainable landscaping which would help in recycling plastics.

Future Researchers. Later researchers can make use of the results and data of this study

as basis for their own future studies in an effort to build upon the results found and help protect

the environment.
 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

vr Experimental Group Control Group

(Paving blocks with Plastic Aggregate) (Commercial Pavingr Blocks)

INTERVENTION INTERVENTION
(PET Bottles as aggregate) (Low-Density Plastics as aggregate)

5%
5%

Comparison of Data
(Compressive Strength, Block Density and Water Absorption)

Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM)

 The study began by collecting and gathering of materials that are needed to construct the

PlastBricks, mainly, PET bottles and low-density polyethylene plastics. The experimental group

utilized to determine the efficiency of 5% aggregate percentage of the PET bottles and low-

density polyethylene plastics in paving blocks separately. On the other hand, the control group

utilized the ordinary paving blocks. After the intervention, the researchers gathered the data

results of each the test; namely, these are compressive strength, water absorption, and block

density. Next, we compared the results based on the following; data test results of experimental

group (PET bottles with 5% of aggregate percentage and 5% Low-density polyethylene plastics

in paving blocks) and control group; and the data results of different experimental groups. Then,

the experimental group undergone a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) to

find out the quality of paving blocks with plastic aggregates in microscopic level. Finally, the

comparison of the data from the experimental group and the control group was evaluated by an

expert, a Civil Engineer.

 Definition of Terms

To fully understand the terms used in this study, they are defined operationally:

Paving Blocks– A paving block made of different alternative aggregate specifically PET bottle

that was mixed and molded within the vicinity of Cebu City.

Plastic – are waste commonly found within the community which can be recycled and used as an

aggregate within the study.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle – A specific kind of plastic that is one of the needed

materials within the study that was used as an alternative aggregate.

Compressive Strength – It is a physical requirement that is defined as the resistance of a

material to breaking under compression that is used as a variable in the study that is needed to

find out the durability and effectiveness of the PlastBricks.

Water Absorption – A property of paving blocks that allows them to absorb certain amount of

water. This property is necessary to identify how durable the PlastBrick is.

Paving Block– It is a commercial product within the industry of construction and architecture

used as exterior flooring and based on the study it is where the molding of the PlastBricks is

being based upon.

Plastic Waste Pollution – A prevalent global problem under solid waste that is the root cause of

the generalization of this study.

Plastic Waste Management – It is a strategy used to lessen plastic waste within the community

which involves the technique of recycling which is a tactic used within the study in order to

lessen plastic wastes.

Recycling – The reusing or recompressing of plastic wastes as aggregates within the study.
Review of Related Literature

This chapter provides an overview of the Project PlastBricks: Comparative Analysis of

Concrete Blocks Reinforced with Polyethylene Plastics. This chapter also provides review of

related literature and studies that support the research in hand.

Plastics. Conferring to a statement by The Ocean Conservancy, it is supposed that the

nation Philippines is among the top 5 countries contributing to plastic wastes pollution along

with the countries China, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia and as a developing country we are

in continuous demand of industrial and polyester-based products. People are producing more and

more plastic trashes as time goes by causing a lot of problems in our environment especially to

humans and animals. There is no exception as to who it will cause detriment to all animals,

whether they inhabit the surface or in the sea can be involved by plastics.

According to Leonard, if this keeps on going, there will come a time where there will be

more plastics in the ocean than the fishes living nearby. This displays how a great deal of plastic

wastes we have in our system and how it can be detrimental to our planet if there are no actions

to be taken. According to the same source, the plastic industry is growing by 75% in

manufacturing of one of the most common type of plastic which is Polyethylene causing the

plastic production to gradually increase globally.

Low-density polyethylene. Low-density polyethylene is one of the prominent materials

used for packaging in our everyday life. Low density polyethylene made wrapping goods easier
for individuals worldwide despite its advantage it also has its own drawback. According to

Dilara and Briassoulis, a huge amount of plastics is used every year, all over the world

specifically in the agricultural industry, of which eloquent quantity is needed for secured

cultivation, in low tunnel and greenhouses. As stated by their study that the small extent in the

surface of low-density polyethylene film is the most used material and highly demand. As

expected, due to the unpleasant circumstances during the usage, from heat, dangerous ultraviolet

irradiation, harmful agrochemicals, due to their limited circumscribed thickness, such as films

scale down in a short duration of time. It sometimes unexpectedly, creates both major economic

difficulties and problems that can greatly affect the environment.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET bottles are the most widespread type of bottles

currently being produced in the world. As a result, it is also the world’s most abundant kind of

plastic waste. PET bottles are prevalent due to its characteristics. According to the website

Kenplas, PET bottles have a variety of advantages; it has an extensive shelf-life due to its low

permeability to water, carbon dioxide, and oxygen, which means it has good chemical resistance;

and it does not give off any toxic residue when burned.

Global Plastic Pollution in Oceans. Plastic pollution has always been present

throughout the marine environment, yet information was missing from assessments of the

worldwide quantity and weight of floating plastics, especially the Southern Hemisphere and

other distant areas. According to Eriksen’s study, it is estimated that there are currently at

minimum of 5.25 trillion plastic fragments that weigh up to 268.940 tons fluctuating in the
ocean. There was a good match between the model predictions and measured data for the number

and weight of particles. Approximations showed that two sea sectors of the Hemisphere of the

North that encompass 55.6% of constituent part and 56.8% of plastic waste comparative to the

Hemisphere of the South, with the North Pacific comprising 37.9% and 35.8% by constituent

part count and volume, successively. The Indian Ocean continues to have a greater constituent

part count and weight in the Hemisphere of the South than the amalgamated South Atlantic and

South Pacific Oceans. All of this goes to show that more and more plastic waste is being

gathered in many parts of the open ocean in both hemispheres. This means that using plastic

waste as aggregate will go a long way in decreasing the amount thrown in the ocean and can be

seen as an alternative way to remove plastic from the sea.

Plastic Pollution in South Pacific subtropical gyre. A subtropical gyre is a system of

ocean currents that rotate like a ring due to the Coriolis Effect. They usually gather between land

masses in big open ocean regions. Plastic pollution in the ocean mainly goes undocumented on

the southern hemisphere. Which is a very dangerous prospect considering trash is usually thrown

out to the ocean, creating small “trash patches”. According to Eriksen’s study, a4489 km section

which cut through the Southern Pacific subtropical gyre, which appeared in during the months,

March and April of 2011, was reported. The findings indicated increases in plastic pollution

surface abundance, verifying a trash patch existence.88.8% of plastic pollution occurred close

the center of the expected accumulation area. This means that plastic waste needs to be handled

properly and prevented from being unnecessarily wasted by throwing it. This means that must be

an alternative solution to plastic waste management.

 Plastic Pollution within Philippines Setting. Philippines is one of the countries in the

world that has a beautiful tropical environment. Due to its natural sceneries, people around the

world visit it to go to the beaches and swim, but there is a problem with this. Plastic wastes are

being thrown carelessly anywhere. From beaches to streets, where there are people, there are

trashes. According to Paler et al., Philippines is one of the countries in the world that has the

highest plastic wastes input in the oceans. The study took place in the Southwestern coasts of

Luzon region. Using the Clean-coast index as reference, the study classified it as dirty and plastic

wastes are the prevalent litter on the beach. This is certainly disturbing, since the Philippines is

promoting its beaches to the world and yet, the country does not have any way to treat its

beaches. Through recycling plastic wastes, the country may redeem its lost beauty.

An example of how people dispose their waste, whether through choice or circumstance

can be found in Catbalogan City. More than half of barangays are located in the city of

Catbalogan City along the Maqueda Bay, the main food source for the Samariños. According to

Orale’s study, sixty percent (60%) of these coastal barangays do not immediate have immediate

access to garbage waste disposal equipment like garbage trucks and landfill and nearly fifty

percent (50%) of these barangays’ local waste is dumped straight into the ocean while twenty-

two percent (22%) partially dispose of its waste in and out of Maqueda Bay. Roughly 33% of

new waste floats and is transferred elsewhere, with most circulating on-site making the site leak,

filthy and smelling foul. Coastal towns and their waste management procedures affect one

another. The effects on the environment has become are filthy. Many coastal communities have

become accustomed and regarded it as ordinary phenomenon to the filthy coastal areas. This

strongly suggest, that unless bold action is taken, there will be further consequence in the future.
 Amongst other things, marine ecosystems play a crucial role in the resilience and

stabilization of habitats against climate change and invasion of foreign species. This also plays a

part in providing services and features for the ecosystem for the benefit of the people. However,

most of the marine habitants was impacted owing to human activities and population growth.

According to Abreo’s the recognized direct and indirect impacts of pollution stressors on marine

species include: death and decrease fitness, illness or sickness vulnerability, habitat degradation

and simplification of the food web. This study highlights the need for removing plastic from the

marine environment within the Philippine setting and in light of its effects for the organisms.

Plastic Waste Management. As the world population grow, more and more solid wastes

are being produced globally. According to the statistics by National Geographic, the planet

would produce partly 3.5 million tons of solid waste a day and about 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms) of

trash per individual. Such an alarming amount of waste is mostly composed of plastics – these

plastics are distinguished for their lengthy life expectancy and components that are harmful to

the environment and also to humankind.

Conferring to a research by Harrison, et. al, shows that plastics, most likely low-density is

efficient in bacterial settlement in coastal sediment microcosm. This would then result to specific

bacteria assemblages such as those with genera of Arcobacter and Colwelliaspp, totaling 84-93%

of sequences, due to its hydrocarbonoclastic ability. That is why people have changed their ways

and have decided to manage these kinds of wastes and recycle them. According to case studies

by Ericksson et. al., various treatment of solid wastes had been examined in a systematical

breakdown. Diverse combos of burning, resources salvaging of plastics, and biological approach

such as methods like composting of biodegradable excess, were premeditated and associated to
landfilling. Study showed that reduction of landfilling, in thought of amplified recycling of

power and resources commenced to lessen environmental bearing, lesser discharge of energy

supplies, and lesser monetary charges. Landfilling of energy-lush litter should be avoided as

secluded as possible, halfway for the reason that of the adverse environmental burdens as of

landfilling, but mostly because of the small regaining of incomes when landfilling. Variances

between materials recovering, nutrient reprocessing and burning are minor but overall reutilizing

of plastic is fairly suitable than incineration and biological handling slightly inferior. When

advancing waste management, it is essential to know that the optimal of waste handling method

affects advancement outside the waste administration system, such as generation of region

heating system, current, vehicle fuel, plastic, cardboard, and fertilizer.

There is also a study conducted by Al-Madded et. al, about the solid waste handling and

plastic reusage within Qatar, they consider landfilling as the most appropriate way of handling of

waste excess but because of the amplified number of migrators within Qatar, there is also an

rapid upsurge of the bulk in the variation of solid waste especially plastics, therefore the law

enforcers of Qatar have encouraged both recycling and reprocessing approaches to lessen the

quantity of waste going into the landfill. It is concluded that recycling is a more preferable and

eco-friendly approach because it has lower environmental burden.

Another study conducted by Kofoworola suggests recycling and recovering technologies

and tactics should be implemented within the metropolis of Lagos, Nigeria. The populace of

Lagos has increased seven-folds from 1950 to 1980 with over 10 million citizens. Most of the

populace are underprivileged therefore their demands are heavy on resources at the same time

they yield large amounts of solid waste, most especially plastics. Efforts by the various waste

supervision agencies established up by the state government to preserve its thoroughfares and
neighborhoods dirt-free have accomplished only minimal accomplishment. This is for the reason

that more than partial of these wastes are suspended and uncollected from the thoroughfares and

the innumerable locations due to the inadequacy and also incompetence of the waste

administration system. Whilst the benefits of appropriate solid waste administration, such as

increased revenues for metropolitan bodies, higher productivity percentage, better-quality

sanitation specifications and improve on health conditions, cannot stand overemphasized, it is

eminent that there is a diminution in the magnitude of recoverable constituents in domiciliary as

well as business-related waste watercourses to minimalize the difficulty stumbling block of

metropolitan solid waste disposal.

Another study by Pohlen and Farris which talks about associating end-of-life handlings of

plastics in which they encompassed procedures such as machine-driven reprocessing, feedstock

reprocessing, incineration and landfilling in making an attempt to authenticate pronouncement

and formulate waste management approaches and guidelines of the European Reprocessing

Society. The study was initiated to substantiate if a consensus is existent as to the

environmentally anticipated treatment possibility for plastic waste, recognize the methodological

expectations and deliberations that have directed to these conclusions and ascertain the

legitimacy of putting into operation the hierarchy of wastes to the plastic wastes watercourse.

The majority of the life sequence assessment reports concluded that, when solitary polymer

plastic waste segments with diminutive carbon-based contamination are cast-off and substitute

virgin plastic. Reutilizing is commonly the ecologically favored treatment option when

associated to metropolitan solid waste ignition. It has been uncovered that assumptions

connecting to the virgin substance substitution proportion and concentration of biological

contamination is capable of having a significant influence upon the consequences of these

investigations. Granting a limited quantity of researches addressed, feedstock recycling and the

usage of plastic waste regained fuel in cement were favored rather than incineration of solid

wastes. Landfilling of plastic residue associated to metropolitan solid waste incineration

demonstrated to be the least preferred alternative for all impression categories not including for

global warming capability. Direct to the uncertainty surrounding roughly assumptions in the

investigation, it cannot be expressed with assurance that the hierarchy of wastes ought to be

applied to plastic waste administration as a general regulation.

Local studies like Paul et. al., study vis-à-vis the integration of informal segment into

metropolitan solid waste management of the Philippines situates that, integrating the informal

segment into metropolitan solid waste administration is a struggle facing many developing

countries. Around 220 tons of robust municipal waste is gathered daily in Iloilo City,

Philippines, and dumped of at a 10 Ha dump site. The municipal government chose to create a

fresh Waste Management Center with embedded landfill to enhance the local waste management

scheme. The suggested region, however, is close to the currently managed dumpsite where

beyond 300 waste-pickers reside and rely on waste picking as their form of income. For this

growth initiative, the local government acknowledged the concealed danger inflicted by the

existence of the waste picker and suggested numerous steps to incorporate the informal sector

into the metropolitan solid waste administration system. A Waste Workers Association, was

launched as a vital action and recorded in May 2009 as an official company. UCLA has 240

employees who are committed to following certain guidelines and working within a group that

collects waste products together. As a community, they are enabled to investigate fresh

livelihood alternatives such as recovering Alternative Fuels for commercial (cement sector) and

family use, compost manufacturing, and craftsmanship from used packages. These operations not
only provide them with alternate livelihoods, but also reduce the production of leachate and

greenhouse vapors from waste management, thus extending the lifetime of the suggested fresh

sanitary landfill as well.

Another study concurring to Agamuthu and Tanaka, like so many other developing Asian

countries and the Pacific region, the Philippines faces more urban metropolitan waste

management difficulties. As World Bank stated in 2001, Metro Manila towns produce nearly 25

percent of complete waste production in the nation therefore as researchers and Filipino citizens

we aim to recommend possible mitigation program in order to mitigate the problem at hand.

Although plastic is highly commercialized, as well as its very flexible property, it also has

limitations. Corresponding to a study conducted by Hopewell et. al., Plastics are cheap,

lightweight and durable fabrics that can be easily molded into a range of products that can be

used in a broad number of apps. As a result, plastics manufacturing has risen significantly over

the past 60 years. Current utilization and disposal concentrations, however, create several

environmental issues. Approximately 4 percent of the world's petroleum and gas production, a

non-renewable source, is rummage-sale as plastics feedstock and another 3–4 percent out of a

hundred is consumed on manufacturing electricity. A considerable part of plastic generated each

year is utilized to create disposable inclosing products or other transitory items that are rejected

within one year of production. These two findings alone show that it is not viable for our present

use of plastics. Furthermore, considerable amounts of reprocessed used plastics accumulate in

landfills and in ordinary environments internationally. Reprocessing is probably the most

significant procedures accessible today to decrease these effects and is one of the most vivacious

grounds in today's plastics manufacturing industry. Reprocessing offers opportunities to decrease

the usage of emollient, greenhouse emission most especially carbon dioxide and the decrease
amount of waste that needs discarding. Here, we are temporarily setting reprocessing in

comparison against supplementary waste reduction approaches, namely reducing material use by

downgrading or reuse of item, using alternate biodegradable products and recovering power as

petroleum. While plastics have been on the market for more than 40 years, the recycled amounts

differ geographically depending on the sort and implementation of plastics. In a variety of

nations, recycling packaging products has seen a fast development in recent centuries.

Advancements in both technologies and organizations for the compendium, categorization and

reprocessing of plastics are generating innovative recycling ideas and opportunities that one may

be able to produce a product through this kind of solid waste through the cooperative actions of

the industry, community, and governments. The mainstream of plastic waste can be and will be

diverted from landfills into recycling for the next decades. Corresponding to the study

accomplished by Siddique et. al., that provides a detailed overview of waste and reutilized

plastics, waste administration selections, and released studies on the impression of reutilized

plastics on concrete's new and hardened characteristics. It has found out that the effects of

reprocessed waste plastic on density, air content, workability, compressive power, flexible

dividing power, elasticity module, collision resistance, permeability, and abrasion opposition of a

concrete block is positive. With these findings we look forward on this silver lining – that this

may be a major key in reducing waste, hopefully majority of it.

Pavers. Concrete paver blocks are also known as brick paving is a normally used

decorative method of creating a hard standing and it is also used as an aesthetic material in

landscaping. The foremost advantage of bricks over other materials is that individual bricks can

later be lifted up and replaced. According to Sharma, concrete paver blocks are rectangular in
shape and had the similar size as the bricks. These concrete pavers were first introduced in

Holland in 1500s as replacement of paver bricks which had become limited due to the post-war

building construction. During the earlier five decades, the block shape has steadily evolved from

non-interlocking to partially interlocking to fully interlocking to multiply interlocking shapes.

Consequently, the pavements in which non-interlocking blocks are used are designated as

Concrete Block Pavement (CBP) or non-interlocking CBP, and those in which partially, fully or

multiply interlocking blocks are used are designated as 'Interlocking Concrete Block Pavement

(ICBP).Concrete Block Pavement are properly designed and constructed to give an excellent

performance when applied to certain location. It contains of a superficial layer of small-element,

solid un-reinforced pre-cast concrete paver blocks lay on a tinny, compressed bedding material

which is assembled over a properly profiled base course and is bounded by edge restraints

stones.

Paver blocks has a lot function due to the fact that it also has a lot of advantages.

According to Punam the pavers advantages are; first it only requires low maintenance, since

pavers require low maintenance as compared to the plain concrete or asphalt pavement. In

cleaning the concrete pavers, it will not cost huge amount of money. Soap and water are the only

requirement in maintaining the condition of the pavements, it is also durable and Hard-Wearing,

Block paving is very long-lasting and is expected to last reliably for at least 20 years. It is highly

versatile it has variety of design, color and texture. The pavers are made with great materials that

made it available in variety in shapes (I, rectangular, square, hexagon, cosmic, tri-hex, zig-zag,

and cobble), colors (red, black, yellow, green, blue). Pavers are eco-friendly compared to the

solid plain surface. Solid surface causes water and chemical runoff that may pollute natural water

sources. Paver blocks are quick to install, it will only take 3 to 4 days without using any heavy
machinery or equipment and right after installation, it can immediately be use. And lastly but not

the least, it is cost saving and easily available. Mass production of the paver block has made the

price of the blocks affordable to the buyers. It is also affordable in terms of its maintenance

cost compared to other materials.

Standard Quality Requirements of Paver Bricks. One of the materials needed in the

production paver block is zero lump concrete; the quality of blocks is expected to be durable.

According to Zhang that durability of concrete plays a serious role in monitoring its service

capacity. Furthermore, durability of concrete is largely dependent on the capacity of a fluid to

penetrate the concrete’s microstructure, which was called permeability. High permeability led to

the introduction of molecules that react and destroy its chemical stability. Moreover, low

permeability of concrete can progress resistance to the permeation of water, sulphate ions,

chloride ions, alkali ions, and other destructive constituents which triggered chemical attack.

Concrete permeability had a close relationship with the features of its pore structure in the

cement paste and the intensity of microcracks at the aggregate-cement paste interface as well as

within the paste itself. Before the blocks are distributed in the market, it will undergo some few

tests to ensure the quality of the paver bricks. According to Punam, the various parameters like

the capacity of compaction and vibration of machine, grade of cement used, water content,

quality of aggregates used, their gradation and mix design adopted, additives used, handling

equipment employed, curing method adopted, level of supervision, workmanship and quality

control achieved are the only few of the recommended quality test and each category has its own

specific grades. For good quality production works, a constant supervision is compulsory so is
required good quality building materials. Thus, for good quality masonry works both

“supervision” and quality bricks are essential. According to building material, A paving block

has its own standard quality to be followed for it is essential. In terms of shape, it should be

uniform, and the edges should be sharp, straight and right angle. Good quality bricks should be

free from cracks. For the strength, quality bricks when tested shouldn’t be less than 3.5 N/mm2.

Crushing strength or also known as compressive strength is tested in laboratory. The strength can

also test on field, since quality bricks left no mark when scratched with thumbnail. In this way,

we can guess its hardness and good quality bricks shouldn’t break when dropped on ground from

about two feet height on their flat face in a saturated condition. In this way we can be assured

about its durability in terms of strength. Water absorption of a good quality blocks doesn’t

absorb water more than 20% of its dry weight when soaked 24 hours in cold fresh water. The

standard quality requirement of the block should be followed because blocks will be used on

exterior pavement application and the blocks will undergo various weather condition.

According to Punem, pavers can be used in various climates (winter, summer and

monsoon). In colder regions, where snow is common, concrete pavers are an ideal.

The frost, oils and most chemicals should not affect the paver block, so this quality has made the

blocks a popular choice in heavy industrial areas. Environment has a big impact in the quality of

the block. According to Zhang, environment has significant effects on the water absorption of

concrete materials. After 28-days curing, compressive strength, permeability, sulfate attack, and

chloride ion diffusion of concrete samples were investigated. Results obtained showed that only

surface water absorption related to the performance of concrete including permeability, sulfate

attack, and chloride ion diffusion. Since paver blocks are not impervious to water, and in order to

bond well with mortar, they must be able to absorb some water. The initial rate of water
absorption is measured in grams and is used to determine whether or not pavers should be soaked

in water prior to laying. Assessing a paver's water absorption is a task. According to Zhang, first

ensure that the block to be tested is clean and free of dust and debris by brushing it well with a

household cleaning brush. Second switch on a set of digital kitchen scales, select the

metricunitoption and check that the reading on the display is zero. If needed, adjust according to

the manufacturer's instructions, usually by pressing a calibration button or switching the scales

off and on again to reach a zero reading. Afterwards it should be placed the test block on the

scales and record the weight as precisely as possible and place the same block in a pail of water,

so it is partially submerged, and leave it there for one minute. Remove the block from the water

and remove any surface water by patting it dry with a towel, and then place the block on the

scales and record the new weight, again measuring as precisely as possible. After that deduct the

original "dry" weight figure from the final "wet" weight figure to ascertain the weight of water

absorbed by the block during the test period.

Surface Characterization of Bricks. According to the University of Washington that

Flat or Elongated Particles These kinds of particles have a propensity to hinder compaction or

rupture in the course of compaction and therefore lower strength. Smooth-Surfaced Particles

These types of particles possess a lesser surface-to-volume ratio than rough-surfaced particles

and ergo, can be easier to cover with binder. It is likely to be more efficient in bonding with

rough-surfaced particles, and in Plain Cement Concrete (PCC) rough-surfaced particles, they

supply more area for the cement paste to bond to. Hence, rough-surface particles are sensible for

both Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and Plain Cement Concrete (PCC). The aggregate particles are the

formation of gathering of the suspension and represent the destabilization of the colloidal system

from the mechanism. In determining the proper compaction, workability and deformation
resistance of particles, it is important to know the shape and surface texture from the given

aggregate particle. Rough surface textures are best because of the shape of particles which is

cubic-angular particles while rounded particles generate less interlock of particle-to-particle

which serves; better workability and easier to compact.

As stated by Molugaram, the aggregate's shape, texture and grading are characteristics

that influence the workability, finishing ability, bleeding, pumping ability, the separation of fresh

concrete and affect the strength, shrinkage, density and durability of hardened concrete. The

aggregate comprises around 80% of the concrete's total volume. Problems on durability and

construction have been disclosed because of insufficient mixture proportioning and grading

variation. The characteristics of the aggregates considerably influence the performance of

Quality Concrete (QC). In both fresh and hardened state and impacts the cost effectiveness.

Flaky and elongated particles contribute to greater voids than particles that are cubic, rounded

and well graded. The aggregate's shape factor plays a crucial role in QC mix design and

efficiency, and it depends primarily on the rock formation and type of crusher used to crush the

aggregates. Flaky and elongated particles have a broader specific surface area resulting in

increased demand for cement paste in concrete mixture. During rolling, these particles hinder

compaction or crack and reduce the concrete structure's strength. There was an effort to study the

impact of an aggregate's shape on the quality of concrete used for houses and pavements.

Initially, aggregate samples were gathered from the stone crusher (two kinds) and ready for

testing of aggregate characteristics and compressive strength and flexural strength tests on

concrete with varying proportions of Flakiness and Elongation indices. The impact on the

compressive and flexural strength of cement concrete of distinct percentages from 0 to 50% of

combined Flaky and Elongation Aggregates (CFEA) for quality concrete was explored. For
distinct aggregate shapes, the other aggregate characteristics such as bulk density, impact value,

water absorption were researched. The cost analysis was performed in 1:3 ratios of flaky and

elongated particles with an optimum value of 30% CFEA.

A study conducted by Alsayed, stated that about 75% of a concrete’s volume is formed

by aggregates, their parameters such as their gradation, texture, shape and maximum size have a

significant impact on the properties and the overall behavior of the concrete. The shape and the

texture of an aggregate mainly rely on whether the aggregate has been reduced to its present size

by natural means or by crushing in an aggregate processing plant. The Natural Aggregate (NA)

normally has a nearly spherical shape and a smooth texture. On the other hand, the Crushed

Aggregate (CA) has an irregular shape and its surface is rough. Furthermore, spherical particles

tend to hand a lower surface to volume ratio and, as a result, needs less mortar to envelop them.

Irregular particles, in contrast, need more mortar and develop stronger aggregate-mortar bond

which result to concrete of higher strength. Its aggregate gradation also has an impact on the

properties of the concrete. If all of the particles of the aggregate are uniformed in their size, the

aggregate may not be compressed correctly. Conversely, if the aggregate is well graded and the

particles comprises of different sized then at the time of compaction, or the exertion of force on

something so that it becomes denser, the smaller particles fill the empty space between the larger

ones. Therefore, concrete made of well graded aggregate is dense and comprises of fewer voids.

The maximum size of aggregate is in direct proportion with its particular surface area, thus the

amount of mixing water needed to provide a certain level of workability reduces with the

increase of the maximum size of aggregate. Lessening in the amount of water provokes an

increase in the concrete strength and a reduction of the quantity of cement brings out an

economically useful concrete, especially for mass concrete construction.

According to Mishra that the water content is the most significant factor in terms of workability.

This workability increases along with the increase of water content which is measured in either

kg or liter per cubic meter of concrete. We can express the connection in terms of water-cement

ratio. If the cement ratio is small, it suggests high amount cement which is beneficial for good

strength. However, the small water-cement is responsible for lower workability. If the correct

mixture proportion cannot be attained, the concrete will not be strong enough as preferred. On

the other hand, if the water-cement ratio is increased, workability and compaction problem will

be resolved but there may come about some other problems like bleeding and losing compressive

strength. Consequently, an optimum water-cement ratio has to be maintained to balance both the

strength and the workability of the concrete.

Related Study no. 1: E-plastic waste management and recycling is quickly increasing

since it is a precious resource for IT sectors and is a highly dangerous substance with a low

recycling rate. Using E-plastic waste decreases the price of aggregate and offers excellent

strength because it involves of superfluous plastic waste from old computers, radios,

refrigerators, televisions; these plastics are non-biodegradable and serves as partial substitute

coarse or acceptable aggregates. According to Manjunath’s study, the Optimum Cement Content

and 10% E-plastic content in the blend, compressive resistance was explored, resulting in

stabilization and very excellent compressive resistance of the cement. Using the material as

aggregate helps make the cement ductile, increasing the ability to significantly deform before

breaking and it reduces the unit weight of the cement. Thus, proving that using E-plastic waste as

aggregate would be of a significant boon in lightweight construction.

 Related study no. 2: In the research of Vasco et. al, they tested the impact of the state of

curing on the durability associated performance of concrete aggregated with plastic waste,

specifically, polyethylene terephthalate (PET). They substituted 15%, 7.5% and 0% of the

natural aggregates with plastic that were investigated in it is coarse and fine aggregates and

including it is shape. The assembled samples were exposed to laboratory environment, outdoor

surroundings and wet chamber curing regimes. Moreover, they executed various test; namely,

these were chloride and carbonation penetration, shrinkage, water absorption by capillary action

and water absorption by immersion. Furthermore, the data outcome of each test manifested a

reduction in the personality of the concrete constructed with plastic aggregates, in label of

durability, in contrast with ordinary concrete. When exposed to drier curing regimes, all samples

executed worse. In the other hand, when exposed to nonconventional drier curing regimes, the

sensitivity analyses manifested that the personality of concrete constructed with plastic

aggregates predominantly deteriorate less than the of ordinary concrete.

Related Study no. 3. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a different kind of concrete.

These types of concretes can sustain its own weight due to its excellent ability of deformation. A

study showed that one can create an SCC by using plastic waste as an aggregate. According to

Hama and Hilal that a plastic waste aggregate cement showed a much more promising

workability, which will make the usage of this type of concrete a much friendlier choice for

construction. The plastic waste aggregate cement also showed a much greater compressive

strength of 35 MPa more than the average SCC. Plastic wastes used as an alternative for cement
aggregate has showed its effectiveness and durability. If this proves to be true, plastic wastes will

be used for construction projects and therefore be recycled.

Related study no.4. The process of managing solid waste materials continues to be an

extensive and a major problem. Specifically, in the urban agglomeration in both low and middle-

revenue countries. Not only that, living organisms are harmed by their mechanical effects, in

particular, the marine animals entangled by plastic objects in the ocean which can lead to

ingestion of plastic wastes and exposure to the chemicals within the plastics which can affect

their physiology. In an effort to solve the plastic waste problem, a study was conducted by

Agyeman, Assiamah et al., which sought to investigate the possible potential use of plastic

wastes as a material to bind for paving blocks production. Their study revealed that after 21 days

old paving blocks in (HP) high in plastics and (LP) low in plastics comprising a compressive

strength of 8.53 N/mm2 (water absorption = 0.5%) and 7.31 N/mm 2 (water absorption = 2.7%)

individually were greater than the control value of 6.07 N/mm 2 (water absorption = 4.9%). This

showed that the paving blocks aggregated with plastic wastes is much more durable than the

regular commercialized paving blocks evident in their respective compressive strengths. Having

a great compressive strength is one of the most significant property for bricks, for bricks is

mostly subjected to compression and tension. It also showed that the paving blocks aggregated

with plastic wastes has lower water absorption quality than the regular commercialized building

blocks which means that it has a better water holding capacity and better durability property of

bricks such as degree of burning, quality and behavior of bricks in weathering. The researchers

suggested that the paving blocks made from the plastics converted into reusable material should

be utilized in non-traffic sections. For instance, walkways, pedestrian plazas, landscapes,

monument premises, footpaths and in areas prone to be saturated with water due to their low

water absorption property and comparatively low compressive strengths.

Related study no. 5. Concrete, a material used in the construction industry comprising of

cement, find aggregates or sand, and coarse aggregates which hardens over time when mixed

with water has been the fundamental building material for most of the infrastructure for last few

decades. As a result, the infrastruction, due to old age results in millions of tonnes of construcion

and demolition wastes, mostly aggregates.

As plastic bottles are becoming a significant waste management concern due to the rapid

urbanizing society, a study was conducted by Paihte and Saini et al., which pursued to combine

both wasted concrete aggregates and plastic bottles and produce an alternative for

commercialized bricks, thus contributing to manufacture a building material that conserves an

ecological balance by avoiding exhaustion of natural resources. Thus, making it not only

environment-friendly but also sustainable at the same time.

In their study, they found out that bottles comprising of crushed recycled concrete

aggregates having a size less than 425 µm had higher compressive strength value in contrast to

those bottles containing recycled concrete aggregates with a size between 425 µm and 4.75mm.

In addition to that, it being exposed to 3.5% saline solution for 27 days did not have an effect on

its compressive strength significantly. It is impossible to completely eradicate the plastic

problem widespread in the world right now. However, with such product filled with plastic

bottles which are not only cheap, requires zero energy, and emission-less, they also remove the

necessity of getting rid of the bottles and the wasted concrete materials. A material that is as
cheap and environment-friendly as their product is presumed to pave way for low-cost housing in

sections of the world that is economically-disadvantaged.

Related study no. 6. Discarding of plastic waste in the environment is still a major

pressing problem because of its low biodegradability and its large abundance. That being the

case, finding for a different method of disposing waste by using friendly procedures is growing

to become a major research issue. However, in a study conducted by Jassim, high density

polyethylene (HDE) waste is mixed with Portland cement to examine the possibility to be able to

come up with a plastic cement. The outcomes show that there is a probability to produce plastic

cement made from polyethylene waste and Portland cement by using the percentage of 60% and

40% respectively. Moreover, their density decreased, ductility increased, and its workability

enhanced leading to produce thin or lightweight materials.

Related study no. 7. In a large number of growing countries, low density polyethylene

(LDPE) plastics is an extensive waste problem for the reason that local collection and recycling

systems are non-existent. If existing, people still won’t strictly act according to. As a

consequence, LDPE is improperly disposed of causing environmental and health threats in many

direct and indirect ways. To name a few, vulnerability to detrimental chemicals present in

plastics associated with serious and unfavorable health outcomes such as cancers, impaired

immunity, developmental and reproductive effects etc. A relatively simple product has been

developed in a country in Central Africa in a study conducted by Yunana and Webster et al.,

which produces LDPE-bonded sand blocks and pavers. This application is a solution to
community-driven waste management trump card which has the possibility to have a significant

impact on the global plastic waste challenge for it can convert waste LDPE and other types of

plastic wastes into a valuable local supply. In the study, the researchers adjudicated to melt and

mix the collected LDPE water sachets with sand in order to come up with an LDPE-bonded sand

blocks or bricks. The plastic ratio on density, compressive strength and water absorption are

being examined.

In the same study, it has been found out that LDPE-bonded sand is a strong and durable

material with compressive strengths that is up to ~27 MPa. The potential use for this simple

technology and the materials it manufactures to modify LDPE plastic waste management in

growing countries is discussed. The promotion of plastic substitutes and safe discarding of

plastic waste demands an urgent and exhaustive action to take care of possible health hazards in

the future.

Related study no. 8. An experimental study was conducted by Bui and Satomi et al.,

which recycled Woven Plastic sack waste and PET bottle waste which were mixed with

aggregate concrete that was also recycled. All of this in an effort to minimize the amount of

Construction and Demolition Waste as it is quickly increasing and managing it is becoming a

problem in many nations. In their investigation, the effects of Recycled PET Bottle Waste

(RPET) fiber and Recycled Woven Plastic Sack (RWS) were scrutinized by means of scientific

experiment. The researchers evaluated the effects of RWS and RPET fibers on RAC based on

their durability and mechanical characteristics. It was also found out that the RPET and RWS

fibers had high alkali resistance that allowed it to withstand alkaline environments. Not only that,
but the behavior of the Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC), specifically its post-cracking

performance became better. However, when both RPET and RWS was compared, the RPET

fiber mixed in RAC performed better than the RWS.

Related study no. 9. Waste plastic bottles are major cause of solid waste disposal.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE or polyester) is generally used for carbonated beverage

and water bottles. This is an environmental matter as waste plastic bottles are difficult to

biodegrade and involves processes either to recycle or reuse. Today the construction industry is

in need of finding cost effective materials for increasing the strength of concrete structures. A

study conducted by Ramadevi1 & Manju, where in it deals with the possibility of using the waste

PET bottles as the partial replacement of aggregate in Portland cement. Concrete with 1%, 2%,

4% and 6% PET bottle fibers for fine aggregate were produced and compared against control

mix with no replacement. Cube specimens, cylinder specimens and prism specimens of 18

numbers each were cast, cured and tested for 7 day and 28 days strength. Compression test,

splitting tensile test and flexural strength tests were done and the results were compared with

control specimens. The findings revealed an increase in compression and tensile strength hence

with the increasing demand for fine aggregate, PET bottle fiber replacements can be adopted.

The replacement of fine aggregates reduces the quantity of river sand to be utilized in concrete

and also plastic fibers are demonstrated to be more economical.

Related study no. 10. A study conducted by Guendouz, & Debieb et al., investigated the

utilization of two type of waste plastic (Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and Low-Density

Polyethylene (LDPE) used for bags manufacture) as a fibers and fine aggregates (powder) in
sand concrete. Various volume fractions of sand (10%,20%,30% and 40%) were substituted by

the same volume of plastic aggregates, and various quantity of plastic fibers (0.5%, 1%,

1.5%,2%) were introduced by volume in sand concrete mixes. The physical and mechanical

properties of the composites produced was studied. The results showed that the utilization of

plastic waste as partial replacement of sand contributes to reduce the bulk density, decrease the

air content, causing an increase in compressive and flexural strength and especially for 10% and

20% of replacement. In addition, the reinforcement of the cementing matrix with plastic fibers

induced a clear improvement of the tensile strength. This study insures that reusing waste plastic

in sand concrete gives a positive method to reduce the cost of materials and settle some

environmental problems.

Related study no. 11. The purpose of this study is to examine the possibility of using

plastic bottles in concrete block. The plastic bottles were used to create voids at equal distance

between them in the masonry units. Concrete was placed around each bottle to encase it in the

masonry units. According to a study done by Safinia and Alkabani, wherein they utilized 500-

mL plastic bottles placed inside concrete masonry units and analyzed the compressive strength.

The testing for compressive strength was determined according to the ASTM C140 standard.

Results from this study were deemed reasonable due to the testing of concrete cylinders as a

control of compressive strength for the concrete blocks from Oman's market. This study shows

57% difference in the strength by using plastic bottles compared to local concrete blocks. This

proves the necessity for further research regarding concrete mix design, amount of cement and

properties of local concrete blocks as well as other technical and non-technical aspects to

determine the appropriate mix design and feasibility in the production industry.
 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design

This study uses an applied/engineering project employing the methods of creation and

testing output. The proposed study is inspired from the most obvious problem within community

and even globally; that is plastic waste pollution. After gathering data, statistics, and opinions

from citizens, the researcher reached into a realization and decided to propose a project on

paving blocks aggregated with shredded plastics specifically, the PET bottles and low-density

polyethylene plastics namely PlastBricks. Materials are gathered within the Lapu-Lapu City and

the functionality of the PlastBricks is tested based on indicators such as Compressive Strength,

and Water Absorption. This study also applies a qualitative approach in finding out the quality

of PlastBricks in microscopic level through Field Emission Scanning Electronic Microscope

(FESEM), and quantitative approach for the difference of functionality between the PlastBricks

and the commercialized product, and which one is more effective, checking and validating the

chances of PlastBricks as an alternative from the recently commercialized industrial blocks.

Research Environment

The carrying out of this research was conducted in various locations mainly, Lapu-Lapu

City, Barangay Sun-ok, Consolacion, Cebu,Sitio Ylaya, Talamban, Mandaue City, 254 Sikatuna

Street, Cebu City and University of San Carlos Physics Department located at Fr. Lawrence

Bunzel Bldg., Talamban Campus. Lapu-Lapu City is the chosen municipality for the need-based

project. Problem is based on both global and community issues and is the basis of the where the

creation of PlastBricks will take place. The shredding of the PET bottles was done at Well Well

Metalworks &Fabrication at Barangay Sun-ok, Consolacion, Cebu while the shredding of low-

density polyethylene plastics was shredded at the Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF) Casanta

Soong Lapu-Lapu City, the molding of the paving blocks was done at Archival’s Eco-House

located at Sitio Ylaya, Talamban, Mandaue City .The testing of functionality was done in E.B.

Testing Center Incorporated located at 254 Sikatuna Street, while the scanning of the surface of

the PlastBricks using a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) was done at the

University of San Carlos Physics Department located at Fr. Lawrence Bunzel Bldg., Talamban

Campus.

Materials such as plastic waste, specifically PET bottle and low-density plastic were

collected from the vicinity of Lapu-Lapu City while some of the materials will be bought on

various hardware stores depending on its availability.

 Figure 1, Lapu-Lapu City Figure 2, Well Well Metalworks Figure 3, Material Recovery
and Fabrications Facilities (MRF)

Figure 4, Archival’s Eco-House Figure 5, University of San Carlos Figure 6, E.B. Testing Center
Incorporated
Research Participants

Experts in various fields have tested, validated the functionality of the project and

visually examine the surface topography project through a Field Emission Scanning Electron

Microscope of the project. A Civil Engineer and an expert who utilized a Field Emission

Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). The criteria for choosing the experts was based on the

following: a.) has graduated Bachelor of Science Major in Civil Engineering or a graduate with a

degree of Applied Physics; and b.) has license to test the functionality of the project undergone

training for at least two weeks under the supervision of the Department of Science and

Technology.
 MATERIALS AND INSTRUMENTS

1.1. Types of Materials

 Shredded Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottles

 Low-Density Plastic

 Water

 Portland Cement

 Construction sand

 Red Concrete Coloring Pigment

 Brush

 Concrete Seal

The researchers will obtain the materials needed from, junk shops in Lapu-Lapu City and

construction materials suppliers in Talamban, Cebu City.

Shredded Polyethylene Terephthelate (PET) Bottles

PET bottles, a very durable, flexible, and lightweight kind of plastic used as an

alternative aggregate in concrete mix.

 Low-Density Plastic

Low-Density Plastics, a very lightweight, easily teared, and abundant kind of

plastic used as an alternative aggregate in concrete mix.

Water

Water, an incredible solvent used to bond the molecules in aggregates and cement

in concrete mix

Portland cement

Portland cement, the most vital part in concrete mixes. This binds the aggregates

together to form concrete.

 Construction sand

Sand which is used as an aggregate in the concrete mix.

Red Concrete Coloring Pigment

Concrete coloring pigment usually mixed with water in varying amounts in order

to paint cement with a color.

Brush

Brush used to paint the paver blocks.

 Concrete seal

Concrete seal, to be used for glossing and protect the concrete coloring pigment

from fading.

IBM SPSS version 21

A statistical tool used to test the data’s normality and compare the difference

between two or moredata

1.2. Quantity and Pricing of Materials
Material Cost Quantity Total
Shredded Polyethylene Terephthelate - 3kg -

(PET) Bottles
Low-Density Plastic - 3kg -
Water - - -
Portland Cement Php195.00 122kg Php605.00
Construction sand Php40.00 15 sacks Php600.00
Red Concrete Coloring Pigment Php68.00 1.25 kg Php85.00
Brush Php15.00 2 pcs Php30.00
Concrete seal Php148.00 1 sachet Php148.00
 METHODS

1. A needs-based profile was accomplished asking the community of their common problems.

2. The researcher designed a Project to solve the common problem of the community.

3. The design was specified as to its materials and procedures.

4. The researcher worked on the production of the project.

4.1. Locating and Gathering of materials of PlastBrick

The researchers decided that Lapu-Lapu City is the chosen municipality for the need-

based project. The researcher searched and gathered the needed materials such as

polyethylene plastics mainly low-density polyethylene plastics and PET bottles. The

proponents also searched for the needed materials such as cement, sand, and any other

materials that are available within the vicinity.

4.2. Shredding of the Plastics

The researcher proceeded on shredding the collected plastics on two different places. The

shredding of low-density polyethylene plastics was done at the local Material Recovering

Facility (MRF) located at Casanta, Soong, Lapu-Lapu City while the shredding of PET

bottles was done at Well Well Metalworks and Fabrication located at Barangay Sun-ok,

Consolacion, Cebu City

4.3. Mixing of the Aggregates

As the production of the PlasBrick run starts the required materials such as sand, cement,

and the two different alternative aggregates which is the low-density polyethylene and

PET bottle. The total measurement of the materials in terms of weight is 143 kg; where

sand (70%) is 100 kg, cement (27.5%) is 39 kg, and for the two alternative aggregates
 (5%) is 4kg. The dry materials then flow into the pan mixer where the materials are

blended together. After the dry materials were blended, a small amount of water is added

to the mixer.

4.4. Molding and Curing of PlastBrick

When the concrete was thoroughly mix, the materials will be ready and transported into

an inclined bucket conveyor and to the elevated hopper. The mixing cycle begins again,

for the next load. From the hopper the concrete is conveyed on top of the bricks machine

at measured flow rate. In the machine, the concrete is forced downward into molds. As

many as 10 pavers is molded at one time. After that when the molds are full, the concrete

is compacted by the weight of the upper mold heading coming down on the mold

cavities. The compaction was supplemented by short burst of mechanical vibration. The

compacted bricks were pushed down and out of the molds onto a flat steel pallet. The

pallet and bricks are pushed out of the machine and onto an operation where the bricks

pass under a rotating brush which removes loose material from the top of the bricks. The

pallets of bricks are placed in an open space and left for 3 days to cure. This process was

done at Archival’s Eco-House located at Sitio Ylaya, Talamban, Mandaue City.

5. The project was tested based on the following: compressive strength, water absorption, and

block density.

5.1. Method for The Determination of Compressive Strength.

The testing machine shall be equipped with two steel bearing blocks. The surfaces of the

steel bearing blocks and plates shall not depart from a plane by more than 0.025 mm in
 any 15 mm dimension. The center of the sphere of the spherically seated bearing block

shall lie on a line passing vertically through the centroid of the specimen bearing face.

6. Method for the Determination of Water Absorption. The bricks were measured before

water absorption test to determine its dry weight. All moisture is removed from the aggregate

by heating in an oven at 105 C to constant weight (72 hours). All pores are empty. After that,

the samples were sealed in a container for 24 hours and was submerged for 30 minutes. Last

but not the least, the bricks were measured afterwards to determine the wet weight of the

samples.

Absorption capacity (AC or absorption) represents the maximum amount of water the

aggregate can absorb. It is calculated from the difference in weight between the Saturated-

surface-dry (SSD) and OD states, expressed as a percentage of the OD weight:

03AC = (WSSD - WOD) / (WOD) x 100%

WSSD and WOD represent the weight of the aggregate sample in the SSD and OD states.

The absorption capacity is used in mix proportioning calculations and can be used to convert
 from SSD to OD system or vice versa. Most normal weight aggregates have absorption

capacities in the range of 1 to 2%. Abnormally high absorption capacities indicate high-

porosity aggregates, which may have potential durability problems.

The criteria for determining its water absorption was based on ESS criteria.

7. Procedure in using the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope.

7.1. Preparation. The sample size was 1mm in length. In order to be observed with the

FESEM, objects were first made conductive for current. Since the sample is organic it

should be coated with an extremely thin layer (1.5 - 3.0 nm) of gold or gold palladium.

Further on, objects must be able to sustain the high vacuum and should not alter the

vacuum, it requires a prefixation, the sample was placed in a small metal plate and

undergone cold slush nitrogen (cryo-fixation).

7.2. During the scanning of the surface topography of the sample. In a field emission (FE)

scanning electron microscope no heating but a so-called "cold" source is employed. An

extremely thin and sharp tungsten needle (tip diameter 10–7 –10-8 m) functions as a

cathode in front of a primary and secondary anode. The voltage between cathode and

anode is in the order of magnitude of 0.5 to 30 KV. Because the electron beam produced

by the FE source is about 1000 times smaller than in a standard microscope, the image

quality is markedly better. As field emission necessitates an extreme vacuum (10-8 Torr)

in the column of the microscope, a device is present that regularly decontaminates the

electron source by a current flash. In contrast to a conventional tungsten filament, a FE

tip last theoretically for a lifetime, provided the vacuum is maintained stable.

7.3. Column with lenses and apertures. The electron beam is focused by the electro-magnetic

lenses (condenser lens, scan coils, stigmator coils and objective lens) and the apertures in

the column to a tiny sharp spot.

7.3.1. Condenser lens. The current in the condenser determines the diameter of the

beam: a low current result in a small diameter, a higher current in a larger beam. A

narrow beam has the advantage that the resolution is better, but the disadvantage

that the signal to noise ratio is worse. The situation is reversed when the beam has a

large diameter. The condenser lens consists mostly out of two parts.

7.3.2. Scan coils. The scan coils deflect the electron beam over the object according to a

zig-zag pattern. The formation of the image on the monitor occurs in synchrony

with this scan movement. The scan velocity determines the refreshing rate on the

screen and the amount of noise in the image (rapid scan = rapid refreshing = low

signal = much noise; see SCANMODE in the virtual FESEM). The smaller the
 scanned region on the object, the larger the magnification becomes at a constant

window size (see MAGNIFICATION in the virtual FESEM). Scan coils often

consist of upper and lower coils, which prevent the formation of a circular shadow

at low magnification.

7.3.3. The objective lens. This is the lowest lens in the column. The objective focuses

the electron beam on the object (see FOCUS in the virtual FESEM). At a short

working distance (= object in a higher position, that is closer to the objective lens)

the objective lens needs to apply a greater force to deflect the electron beam. The

shortest working distance produces the smallest beam diameter, the best resolution,

but also the poorest depth of field. (The depth of field indicates which range in

vertical direction in the object can still be visualized sharply).

7.3.4. The stigmator coils. These coils were used to correct irregularities in the x and y

deflection of the beam and thus to obtain a perfectly round-shaped beam. When the

beam is not circular, but ellipsoidal, the image looks blurred and stretched (see

ALIGN X Y in the virtual FESEM).

7.4. Object chamber. During the viewing of the microscopic surface topography of the

sample. Repositioning of the sample was unavoidable, in repositioning a chamber by

means of joystick that steers in left right axis, or forward and backward was used. In

addition, the object can be tilted (stereo views), rotated and moved in Z direction (closer

or further away to the objective lens). The “secondary electron emission” detector

(scintillator) is located at the rear of the object holder in the chamber.

7.5. Image formation. When the primary probe bombards the object, secondary electrons are

emitted from the object surface with a certain velocity that is determined by the levels
 and angles at the surface of the object. The secondary electrons, which are attracted by

the Corona, strike the scintillator (fluorescing mirror) that produces photons. The

location and intensity of illumination of the mirror vary depending on the properties of

the secondary electrons. The signal produced by the scintillator is amplified and

transduced to a video signal that is fed to a cathode ray tube in synchrony with the scan

movement of the electron beam. The contrast in the ‘real time’ image that appears on the

screen reflects the structure on the surface of the object. Parallel to the analog image, a

digital image is generated which can be further processed.

8. Analysis of Data

The efficiency of the paving blocks will be gathered through the data results of the test;

namely, these are compressive strength and water absorption. These tests will be done with

an expert.

Weighted Mean was utilized to rate the functionality of the paving blocks and SPSS

version 21 application was used to check the data results. Since the data was normal then, the

researchers used a parametric test, specifically, the independent t-test to test the difference of

the data results.

Units included in this study are; Pounds per square inch (Psi) and Megapascals (MPa) for

compressive strength; and grams (g) for water absorption.

 RESULTS

The data below were acquired from the functionality test that were done by the expert.

The subjects used were the two groups; control group and experimental group (paving blocks

aggregated with shredded PET bottles and Low-density polyethylene plastic).

Table 1.1. Effectiveness of PlastBrick with Low-Density Polyethylene Aggregate in terms of

Compressive Strength

Compressive Compressive
Sample Markings Age in Days Remark
Strength (Psi) Strength (MPa)
LD-1 7 2,979 20.53948 Normal Strength
LD-2 7 3,147 21.6978 Normal Strength
LD-3 7 3,288 22.669962 Normal Strength
Grand Mean 3,138 21.6357 Normal Strength

Legend (MPa) Interpretation

0-19 Low Strength
20-39 Normal Strength
40-69 Medium Strength
70-119 High Strength
120-1000 Ultra-High Strength

Table 1.1. shows the compressive strength of PlastBricks with 5% Low-Density

Polyethylene aggregate after undergoing functionality test. Sample LD-1, after undergoing

compressive strength test, has an ultimate strength of 2,979 Psi or 20.53948 MPa which can be

interpreted to as Normal Strength. Sample LD-2, has a compressive strength of 3,147 Psi or

21.6978 which belongs to the classification of Normal Strength. Sample LD-3, after undergoing

the test, resulted to have 3,288 Psi or 22.669962 MPa which also belongs to the classification of
Normal Strength. Calculating the grand mean, the results shown to have 3,138 Psi or 21.6357

MPa which belongs to the classification of Normal Strength.

 Table 1.2 Effectiveness of PlastBrick with PET Bottles Aggregate in terms of Compressive

Strength

Compressive Compressive
Sample Marking Age in Days Remark
Strength (Psi) Strength (MPa)
Normal Strength
PET-1 7 4,496 34.44621
Normal Strength
PET-2 7 4,777 32.93626
Normal Strength
PET-3 7 4,665 32.16404
Normal Strength
Grand Mean 4,646 33.18217

Description
Legend (MPa) Low Strength
0-19 Normal Strength
20-39 Medium Strength
40-69 High Strength
70-119 Ultra-High Strength
120-1000

Table 1.2 suggest the effectiveness of PlastBrick with 5% PET bottle aggregate in terms

of compressive strength. Sample PET-1 has a compressive strength of 4,461 or 34.44621 MPa

which means that Sample PET -1 belongs to a classification of Normal Strength. Sample PET-2

undergone the same test, ended up having 4,777 Psi or 32.93626 MPa which also belongs to

Normal Strength. Sample PET -3 underwent the same functionality resulting to have a

compressive strength of 4,665 Psi or 32.16404 MPa which is classifies to as Normal Strength.

Calculating the grand mean, the results shown to have 4645 Psi or 33.18217 MPa, which belongs

to the classification of Normal Strength.

Table 1.3 Effectiveness of the Commercial Paving Block in terms of Compressive Strength

Compressive Compressive
Sample Marking Age in Days Remark
Strength (Psi) Strength (MPa)

CG-1 - 4,047 27.90308 Normal Strength

CG-2 - 4,103 28.28919 Normal Strength

CG-3 - 4,187 28.86835 Normal Strength

Grand Mean 4,112 28.355124 Normal Strength

Legend (MPa) Description

0-19 Low Strength
20-39 Normal Strength
40-69 Medium Strength
70-119 High Strength
120-1000 Ultra-High Strength

Table 1.3 shows the effectiveness of the commercial paving block in terms of

compressive strength. Sample CG-1 has a compressive strength of 4,047or 27.90308 MPa which

means that Sample CG -1 belongs to a classification of Normal Strength. Sample CG-2

undergone the same test, ended up having 4,103 Psi or 28.28919 MPa which also belongs to

Medium Strength. Sample CG -3 underwent the same functionality resulting to have a

compressive strength of 4,187 Psi or 28.86835 MPa which is classifies to as Normal Strength.
Calculating the grand mean, the results shown to have 4,112 Psi or 28.355124MPa, which

belongs to the classification of Normal Strength.

 Dry Weight of Wet Weight of Water
Sample
Age in Days Sample Sample Absorption Remarks
Marking
(grams) (grams) (%)

LD-1 7 8567 9161 6.934 Medium Duty

7
LD-2 8663 9232 6.568 Medium Duty

LD-3 7 8623 9212 6.831 Medium Duty

Grand Mean 6.778 Medium Duty

Table 2.1 Effectiveness of PlastBrick with Low-density Polyethylene Aggregate in terms of

Water Absorption

Legends (Individual) Description

10% - 8.1% Normal Duty
8% - 6.1% Medium Duty
6% - below Heavy Duty

Legends (Average) Description

8% - 6.1% Normal Duty
6% - 5.1% Medium Duty
5% - below Heavy Duty

Table 2.1 shows the test result of PlastBricks with 5% Low-Density Polyethylene

aggregates after undergoing a three-day water absorption test. LD-1 had an initial weight of
8,567 grams. After the three-day test, the mass of LD-1 increased up to 9161 grams. This shows

that LD-1 has absorbed 6.934% of its initial mass of water after the treatment. LD-1 results show

that it belongs to the classification of Medium Duty.

Sample LD-2 has an initial mass of 8,663 grams, which increased up to 9,232 grams.

Sample LD-2 has 6.568% of its initial mass of water after the three-day treatment. The results

show that Sample LD-2 belongs to Medium Duty classification.

Sample LD-3 had an initial mass of 8,623 grams. After undergoing functionality test, its

mass increased up to 9,212 grams. This shows that Sample LD-3 has absorbed 6.831% of water

over its initial mass. Hence, Sample LD-3 belongs to the classification of Medium Duty.

After calculating the grand mean, the results shown to have 6.778% of water absorption

which belongs to the classification of Medium Duty.

Table 2.2. Effectiveness of PlastBrick with PET Bottles Aggregate in terms of Water

Absorption
 Dry Weight of Wet Weight of Water
Sample
Age in Days Sample Sample Absorption Remarks
Marking
(grams) (grams) (%)

PET-1 7 8797 9249 5.138 Heavy Duty

7
PET-2 8798 9263 5.285 Heavy Duty

PET-3 7 8788 9242 5.166 Heavy Duty

Grand Mean 5.196 Medium Duty

Legends (Individual) Description

10% - 8.1% Normal Duty
8% - 6.1% Medium Duty
6% - below Heavy Duty

Legends (Average) Description

8% - 6.1% Normal Duty
6% - 5.1% Medium Duty
5% - below Heavy Duty

Table 2.2. depicts the effectiveness of PlastBrick with 5% PET bottle aggregate in terms

Water Absorption. Sample PET-1 has an initial weight of 8,797 grams that was increased to

9,279 grams after the functionality test. Hence, the Sample PET-1 absorbed 5.138% of its initial

mass of water after the treatment. Moreover, it shows that Sample PET-1 belongs to the

classification of Heavy Duty.

 Sample PET-2 has an initial mass of 8798 grams, which increased up to 9,263 grams.

Sample PET-2 has 5.285% of its initial mass of water after the three-day treatment. The results

show that Sample PET-2 belongs to Heavy Duty classification.

Sample PET-3 had an initial mass of 8788 grams. After undergoing functionality test, its

mass increased up to 9242 grams. This shows that Sample PET-3 has absorbed 5.166% of water

over its initial mass. Hence, Sample PET-3 belongs to the classification of Heavy Duty.

After calculating the grand mean, the results shown to have 5.196% of water absorption

which belong to the classification of Medium Duty.

 Table 2.3 Effectiveness of the Commercial Paving Block in terms of Water Absorption

Dry Weight of Wet Weight of Water

Sample
Age in Days Sample Sample Absorption Remarks
Marking
(grams) (grams) (%)

CG-1 - 8,235 8,512 3.364 Heavy Duty

-
CG-2 8,236 8,563 3.970 Heavy Duty

CG-3 - 8,266 8,546 3.387 Heavy Duty

Grand Mean 3.574 Heavy Duty

Legends (Individual) Description

10% - 8.1% Normal Duty
8% - 6.1% Medium Duty
6% - below Heavy Duty

Legends (Average) Description

8% - 6.1% Normal Duty
6% - 5.1% Medium Duty
5% - below Heavy Duty
 Table 2.3 depicts the effectiveness of the Commercialized Paving Block in terms of

Water Absorption. Sample CG-1 has an initial weight of 8,235 grams that increased up to 8,512

grams after the functionality test. Hence, the Sample CG-1 absorbed 3.364% of its initial mass of

water after the treatment. Moreover, it shows that Sample CG-1 belongs to the classification of

Heavy Duty.

Sample CG-2 has an initial mass of 8,236 grams, which increased up to 8,563 grams.

Sample CG-2 has 3.970% of its initial mass of water after the three-day treatment. The results

show that Sample CG-2 belongs to Heavy Duty classification.

Sample PET-3 had an initial mass of 8,266 grams. After undergoing functionality test, its

mass increased up to 8,546 grams. This shows that Sample PET-3 has absorbed 3.387% of water

over its initial mass. Hence, Sample PET-3 belongs to the classification of Heavy Duty.

After calculating the grand mean, the results shown to have 3.574% of water absorption

which belong to the classification of Heavy Duty.

Table 3.1 Difference between PlastBrick with 5% Low-Density Polyethylene aggregate and

Standard Paving Blocks in terms of Compressive Strength

Variable p-value Decision Interpretation

PlastBrick with Low-
Density Polyethylene
0.001 Reject the Ho Significant
and Standard Paving
Blocks

Table 3.1 shows the difference between compressive strength test results of the

PlastBrick with 5% Low-Density Polyethylene aggregate and the standard paving blocks.

Independent sample t-test was utilized as a statistical tool for the test of difference for involves

normal data.

The computed p-value is 0.001. At significance level of 0.05, our p-value is less than 0.05

that leads to the decision of rejecting the null hypothesis since we have enough evidence to reject

the null hypothesis. Since we rejected the null hypothesis, there is a significant difference

between the compressive strength test results of the PlastBrick with 5% Low-Density

Polyethylene aggregate and the standard paving blocks.

 Table 3.2 Difference between PlastBrick with 5% PET Bottle aggregate and Standard

Paving Blocks in terms of Compressive Strength

Variable p-value Decision Interpretation

PlastBrick with PET
Bottles and Standard 0.004 Reject the Ho Significant
Paving Blocks

Table 3.2 shows the difference between compressive strength test results of the

PlastBrick with 5% PET bottles aggregate and the standard paving blocks. Independent sample t-

test was used as a statistical tool to test the difference since it involves normal data.

The computed p-value is 0.004. At 0.05 significance level our p-value is less than 0.05,

which means, we have sufficient data evidence to reject the null hypothesis. Since the null

hypothesis is rejected, there is a significant difference between the compressive strength test

results of the PlastBrick with 5% PET bottles aggregate and the standard paving blocks.
 Table 3.3 Difference between PlastBrick with 5% PET Bottle aggregates and PlastBrick

with 5% Low-Density Polyethylene aggregates in terms of Compressive Strength

Variable p-value Decision Interpretation

PlastBrick with PET
Bottles and
PlastBrick with 0.000 Reject the Ho Significant
Low-Density
Polyethylene

Table 3.3 shows the difference between compressive strength test results of the

PlastBrick with 5% PET bottle aggregate and PlastBrick with 5% Low-Density Polyethylene

aggregate. Independent sample t-test was utilized as statistical tool to find out the difference

since it involves normal data.

The computed p-value is 0.000. At 0.05 significance level, our p-value is less than 0.05

that leads to the decision of rejecting the null hypothesis, since we have enough evidence to do

so. Since we rejected the null hypothesis, there is a significant difference between the

compressive strength test results of the PlastBrick with 5% PET bottles aggregate and

PlastBricks with 5% Low-Density Polyethylene aggregates.

Table 4.1 Difference between PlastBrick with 5% Low-Density Polyethylene Aggregate and

Standard Paving Blocks in terms of Water Absorption

Variable p-value Decision Interpretation

PlastBrick with Low-
Density Polyethylene
0.000 Reject the Ho Significant
and Standard Paving
Blocks

Table 4.1 shows the difference between water absorption test results of the PlastBrick

with 5% Low-Density Polyethylene and the standard paving blocks. Independent sample t-test

was utilized as a statistic tool since the data is normal.

The computed p-value is 0.000. At 0.05% significance level, out computed p-value is less

than 0.05 hence, we have enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis. Therefore, there is a

significant difference between the water absorption test results of the PlastBrick with 5% Low-

Density Polyethylene aggregate and the standard paving blocks.

 Table 4.2 Difference between PlastBrick with 5 % PET Bottles Aggregate and Standard

Paving Blocks in terms of Water Absorption

Variable p-value Decision Interpretation

PlastBrick with PET

Bottles and Standard 0.001 Reject the Ho Significant
Paving Blocks

Table 4.2 shows the difference between water absorption test results of the PlastBrick

with 5% PET bottle aggregate and the standard paving blocks. Independent sample t-test was

utilized as a statistical tool since the data is normal.

The computed p-value is 0.001. At 0.05 significance level, our computed p-value is less

than 0.05 hence, we have enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis, there is a significant

difference between the water absorption test results of the PlastBrick with 5% PET bottle

aggregates and the standard paving blocks.

 Table 4.3 Difference between PlastBrick with 5% PET Bottle Aggregate and PlastBrick

with 5% Low-Density Polyethylene Aggregate in terms of Water Absorption

Variable p-value Decision Interpretation

PlastBrick with PET
Bottles and PlastBrick
0.000 Reject the Ho Significant
with Low-Density
Polyethylene

Table 4.3 shows the difference between water absorption test results of the PlastBrick

with 5% PET bottle aggregates and PlastBricks with 5% Low-Density Polyethylene aggregates.

Since the data is normal, we used the independent sample t-test as a statistical tool.

The computed p-value is 0.000. At 0.05 significance level, our p-value is less than 0.05.

Since the computed p-value is less than 0.05, we have enough evidence to reject the null

hypothesis. Since, we rejected the null hypothesis, there is a significant difference between the

water absorption test results of the PlastBricks with 5% PET bottle aggregate and PlastBricks 5%

with Low-Density Polyethylene aggregate.

5. Surface Characterization of PlastBrick under FESEM

5.1. PlastBrick with Low-Density Polyethylene Aggregate under FESEM:

Figure 5.1.1

Figure 5.1.2
 Figure 5.1.1 shows Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) image of the
concrete with Low-Density Polyethylene with a low magnification of 26x. Figure 5.1.2 shows
the 3490x magnification image of Low-Density Polyethylene which interlocks with the concrete
particles.

Figure 5.1.3
 Figure 5.1.4

Figure 5.1.3 shows the high magnification of Low-Density Polyethylene of smooth-

surfaced particles of the plastics. Figure 5.1.4 shows the Field Emission Scanning Electron
Microscope image of Concrete under a high magnification of 29990 x, the image shows the
partially rounded particles and the flat or elongated particles of cement that interlocks with the
flaky particles of the coarse aggregate.
 5.2 Plastbrick with Polyethylene Terephthalate aggregate under FESEM:

Figure 5.2.1

Figure 5.2.2

Figure 5.2.1 shows the concrete attached to the surface of the Polyethylene Terephthalate below
it. Figure 5.2.2 shows a closer image of the surface of the concrete. Figure 5.2.3 shows a
magnified image of the concrete surface.
 Figure 5.2.3

Figure 5.2.1 shows the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope of the Polyethylene

Terephthalate under a magnification of 33x, the image shows the concrete particles interlocks

with Polyethylene Terephthalate. Figure 5.2.2 and 5.2.3 shows the rough surface of the particles

of the Polyethylene Terephthalate.

 ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION

I. Effectiveness of the PlastBricks in terms of Compressive Strength

The results of the compressive strength test of the brick containing alternative

aggregate has exceeded the standard measures of paving blocks. According to Building

Material, A paving block has its own standard quality to be followed for it is essential. In

terms of shape, it should be uniform, and the edges should be sharp, straight and right

angle. Good quality bricks should be free from cracks. For the strength, quality bricks

when tested shouldn’t be less than 3.5 N/mm2.

Findings have shown similarities to Manjunath’s study wherein the Optimum

Cement Content and 10% E-plastic content in the blend, compressive resistance was

explored, resulting in stabilization and very excellent compressive resistance of the

cement. Using the material as aggregate helps make the cement ductile, increasing the

ability to significantly deform before breaking and it reduces the unit weight of the

cement. Studies like, Hama and Hilal that a plastic waste aggregate cement showed a

much more promising workability, which will make the usage of this type of concrete a

much friendlier choice for construction. The plastic waste aggregate cement also showed

a much greater compressive strength of 35 MPa more than the average SCC. Plastic

wastes used as an alternative for cement aggregate has showed its effectiveness and

durability. If this proves to be true, plastic wastes will be used for construction projects

and therefore be recycled.

A study was conducted by Agyeman, Assiamah et al., which sought to investigate

the possible potential use of plastic wastes as a material to bind for paving blocks
 production also showed the same results as PlastBricks. Their study revealed that after 21

days old paving blocks in (HP) high in plastics and (LP) low in plastics comprising a

compressive strength of 8.53 N/mm2 and 7.31 N/mm2, individually were greater than the

control value of 6.07 N/mm2. This showed that the paving blocks aggregated with plastic

wastes is much more durable than the regular commercialized paving blocks evident in

their respective compressive strengths. A study was conducted by Paihte and Saini et al.,

found out that bottles comprising of crushed recycled concrete aggregates having a size

less than 425 µm had higher compressive strength value in contrast to those bottles

containing recycled concrete aggregates with a size between 425 µm and 4.75mm.

A study conducted by Yunana and Webster et al., it has been found out that

LDPE-bonded sand is a strong and durable material with compressive strengths that is up

to ~27 MPa has also similar results with PlastBrick’s Compressive Strength. The

potential use for this simple technology and the materials it manufactures to modify

LDPE plastic waste management in growing countries is discussed. The promotion of

plastic substitutes and safe discarding of plastic waste demands an urgent and exhaustive

action to take care of possible health hazards in the future.

II. Effectiveness of PlastBrick in terms of Water Absorption

According to Building Material, a paving block has its own standard quality to be

followed for it is essential. Water absorption of a good quality blocks doesn’t absorb

water more than 20% of its dry weight when soaked 24 hours in cold fresh water. The

standard quality requirement of the block should be followed because blocks will be used

on exterior pavement application and the blocks will undergo various weather condition,
 which means the PlastBrick has exceed the standard rating of water absorption and it is

ideal to use.

A study conducted by Agyeman, Assiamah et al., a study which sought to investigate the

possible potential use of plastic wastes as a material to bind for paving blocks production.

Their study revealed that after 21 days old paving blocks in (HP) high in plastics and

(LP) low in plastics comprising a water absorption equal to 0.5% and 7.31 N/mm2 (water

absorption = 2.7%) individually were greater than the control value of water absorption

equal to 4.9%. It also showed that the paving blocks aggregated with plastic wastes has

lower water absorption quality than the regular commercialized building blocks which

means that it has a better water holding capacity and better durability property of bricks

such as degree of burning, quality and behavior of bricks in weathering. The researchers

suggested that the paving blocks made from the plastics converted into reusable material

should be utilized in non-traffic sections.

III. Significant Findings in terms of Compressive Strength

III-A. Difference between PlastBrick with 5% Low-Density Polyethylene Aggregate

and Standard Paving Blocks in terms of Compressive Strength

Recalling Table 3.1, the computed p-value was 0.001. At 0.05 significance level,

the computed p-value is less than 0.05 which means that the data has a significant

difference with each other. Basing on table 1.1, the grand mean of the compressive

strength results is 3,138 Psi or 21.6357 which belongs to Normal Strength. On the other

hand, the compressive strength test results of the standard commercial paving block

based on table 1.3, the grand mean between the test results is 4,112 Psi or 28.355124
which belongs to the classification of Normal Strength. Since the standard commercial

paving block has a higher compressive strength, therefore it is more effective than of the

PlastBrick with 5% low-density polyethylene aggregate.

Findings were different from the studies of Yunana and Webster et al., wherein

they produced LDPE-bonded sand blocks and pavers. In the same study, it has been

found out that LDPE-bonded sand is a strong and durable material with compressive

strengths that is up to ~27 MPa, which is more than the PlastBricks with 2.5% low-

density polyethylene aggregate’s compressive strength.

III-B. Difference between PlastBrick with 5% PET Bottles Aggregate and Standard

Paving Blocks in terms of Compressive Strength

Table 3.2 has a computed p-value of 0.004, and at significance level of 0.05, we

have enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis. Therefore, there is a significant

difference between the PlastBrick with 5% PET Bottles aggregate and standard paving

blocks in terms of compressive strength. Basing on table 1.2, the PlastBrick with 5% PET

bottle aggregates has a grand mean of 4,646 Psi or 33.18217 MPa which belongs to the

category of Normal Strength. On the other hand, the compressive strength test results of

the standard commercial paving block based on table 1.3, the grand mean between the

test results is 4,112 Psi or 28.355124 which belongs to the classification of Normal

Strength. Since the PlastBrick with 5% PET bottle aggregate has a higher compressive

strength value therefore it is more effective that the standard commercial paving block.

Like Ramadevi1 & Manju’s study where in concrete with 1%, 2%, 4% and 6% PET

bottle aggregate were produced and compared against control mix with no replacement.
Compression test, splitting tensile test and flexural strength tests were done and the

results were compared with control specimens. The findings revealed an increase in

compression and tensile strength hence with the increasing demand for fine aggregate,

PET bottle fiber replacements can be adopted and is proven to be more economical.

Another study according to a study done by Safinia and Alkabani, wherein they utilized

500-mL plastic bottles placed inside concrete masonry units and analyzed the

compressive strength. The testing for compressive strength was determined according to

the ASTM C140 standard. Results from this study were deemed reasonable due to the

testing of concrete cylinders as a control of compressive strength for the concrete blocks

from Oman's market. This study shows 57% difference in the strength by using plastic

bottles compared to local concrete blocks. This proves the necessity for further research

regarding concrete mix design, amount of cement and properties of local concrete blocks

as well as other technical and non-technical aspects to determine the appropriate mix

design and feasibility in the production industry.

III-C. Difference between PlastBrick with 5% PET Bottle aggregates and PlastBrick

with 5% Low-Density Polyethylene aggregates in terms of Compressive Strength

Referring to the results shown in table 3.3, the computed p-value is 0.000. At 0.05

significance level, the computed p-value is less than 0.05 therefore the researcher has

enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis. Data shows, in table 1.1 that PlastBrick

with 5% low-density polyethylene aggregate has a compressive strength value of 3,138

Psi or 21.6357 which belongs to Normal Strength. On the other hand, the compressive
 strength value of the PlastBrick with PET bottle aggregate is 4,646 Psi or 33.18217 MPa

which belongs to the category of Normal Strength. Comparing the two values, the

PlastBrick with PET bottle aggregates has higher values in terms of compressive strength

therefore it is more effective than the latter.

A study conducted by Guendouz, & Debieb et al., investigated the utilization of two type

of waste plastic (Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and Low-Density Polyethylene

(LDPE) used for bags manufacture) as a fibers and fine aggregates (powder) in sand

concrete. The results showed that the utilization of plastic waste as partial replacement of

sand contributes to reduce the bulk density, decrease the air content, causing an increase

in compressive and flexural strength. In addition, the reinforcement of the cementing

matrix with plastic fibers induced a clear improvement of the tensile strength. This study

insures that reusing waste plastic in sand concrete gives a positive method to reduce the

cost of materials and settle some environmental problems.

IV. Significant Findings in terms of Water Absorption

IV-A. Difference between PlastBrick with 5% Low-Density Polyethylene Aggregate

and Standard Paving Blocks in terms of Water Absorption

Based on table 4.1 results, the computed p-value is 0.000. At 0.05 significance

level the computed p-value is less than of 0.05, therefore we have enough evidence to

reject the null hypothesis, hence there is a significant difference between PlastBrick with

5% low-density aggregate and standard paving blocks. Referring to table 2.1, the

PlastBrick with low-density polyethylene aggregate has absorbed 6.778% of water over
its original weight which belongs to the category Medium Duty while the standard paving

block has absorbed 3.574% of water of its original mass which belong to the category of

Heavy Duty based on table 2.3. This exemplifies that the lower the absorbed water the

higher is its effectivity, therefore the standard commercial paving block is more effective

than PlastBrick with 5% low-density polyethylene aggregate in terms of water

absorption.

A study conducted by Agyeman, Assiamah et al., a study which sought to

investigate the possible potential use of plastic wastes as a material to bind for paving

blocks production. Their study revealed that after 21 days old paving blocks in (HP) high

in plastics and (LP) low in plastics comprising a water absorption equal to 0.5% and 7.31

N/mm2 (water absorption = 2.7%) individually were greater than the control value of

water absorption equal to 4.9%. It also showed that the paving blocks aggregated with

plastic wastes has lower water absorption quality than the regular commercialized

building blocks which means that it has a better water holding capacity and better

durability property of bricks such as degree of burning, quality and behavior of bricks in

weathering.

IV-B. Difference between PlastBrick with 5 % PET Bottles Aggregate and Standard

Paving Blocks in terms of Water Absorption

Based on table 4.2 results, the computed p-value is 0.001. At 0.05 significance

level the computed p-value is less than of 0.05, therefore we have enough evidence to

reject the null hypothesis, hence there is a significant difference between PlastBrick with

5 % PET bottles aggregate and standard paving blocks. Referring to table 2.2, the
PlastBrick with 5 % PET bottles aggregate has absorbed 5.196% of water over its

original weight which belongs to the category Medium Duty while the standard paving

block has absorbed 3.574% of water of its original mass which belong to the category of

Heavy Duty based on table 2.3. This exemplifies that the lower the absorbed water the

higher is its effectivity, therefore the standard commercial paving block is more effective

than PlastBrick with 5% PET bottle aggregate in terms of water absorption.

A study conducted by Agyeman, Assiamah et al., a study which sought to

investigate the possible potential use of plastic wastes as a material to bind for paving

blocks production. Their study revealed that after 21 days old paving blocks in (HP) high

in plastics and (LP) low in plastics comprising a water absorption equal to 0.5% and 7.31

N/mm2 (water absorption = 2.7%) individually were greater than the control value of

water absorption equal to 4.9%. It also showed that the paving blocks aggregated with

plastic wastes has lower water absorption quality than the regular commercialized

building blocks which means that it has a better water holding capacity and better

durability property of bricks such as degree of burning, quality and behavior of bricks in

weathering.

IV-C. Difference between PlastBrick with 5% PET Bottle Aggregate and PlastBrick

with 5% Low-Density Polyethylene Aggregate in terms of Water Absorption

Based on table 4.3 results, the computed p-value is 0.000. At 0.05 significance

level the computed p-value is less than of 0.05, therefore we have enough evidence to

reject the null hypothesis, hence there is a significant difference between PlastBrick with

5 % PET bottles aggregate and PlastBrick with 5% low-density polyethylene aggregate.

Referring to table 2.2, the PlastBrick with 5 % PET bottles aggregate has absorbed
 5.196% of water over its original weight which belongs to the category Medium Duty,

while the PlastBrick with 5% low-density polyethylene aggregate has 6.778% of water

over its original weight which belongs to the category Medium Duty based on table 2.1.

This exemplifies that the lower the absorbed water the higher is its effectivity, therefore

the PlastBrick with 5% PET bottle is more effective than PlastBrick with 5% low-density

polyethylene aggregate in terms of water absorption.

A study conducted by Agyeman, Assiamah et al., a study which sought to

investigate the possible potential use of plastic wastes as a material to bind for paving

blocks production. Their study revealed that after 21 days old paving blocks in (HP) high

in plastics and (LP) low in plastics comprising a water absorption equal to 0.5% and 7.31

N/mm2 (water absorption = 2.7%) individually were greater than the control value of

water absorption equal to 4.9%. It also showed that the paving blocks aggregated with

plastic wastes has lower water absorption quality than the regular commercialized

building blocks which means that it has a better water holding capacity and better

durability property of bricks such as degree of burning, quality and behavior of bricks in

weathering.

V. Surface Characterization of PlastBrick under Field Emission Scanning Electron

Microscope.

The sample size was 1mm in length. In order to be observed with the Field

Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), objects were first made conductive

for current. Since the sample is organic it should be coated with an extremely thin layer

(1.5 - 3.0 nm) of gold and then placed on a metal plate. Further on, the subject must be
able to sustain the high vacuum and should not alter the vacuum, it requires a prefixation,

the sample was placed in a small metal plate and undergone cold slush nitrogen (cryo-

fixation). The identification of the characteristics of sample was done with a Field

Emission Scanning Electron Microscope. The alternative aggregate’s surface texture and

the shape of the particles plays a big role in the paver’s compressive strength and water

absorption. As stated by Molugaram, the aggregate's shape, texture and grading are

characteristics that influence the workability, finishing ability, bleeding, pumping ability,

the separation of fresh concrete and affect the strength, shrinkage, density and durability

of hardened concrete. The aggregate comprises around 80% of the concrete's total

volume. Problems on durability and construction have been disclosed because of

insufficient mixture proportioning and grading variation. The characteristics of the

aggregates considerably influence the performance of Quality Concrete (QC). In both

fresh and hardened state and impacts the cost effectiveness. Flaky and elongated particles

contribute to greater voids than particles that are cubic, rounded and well graded. The

aggregate's shape factor plays a crucial role in QC mix design and efficiency, and it

depends primarily on the rock formation and type of crusher used to crush the aggregates.

Flaky and elongated particles have a broader specific surface area resulting in increased

demand for cement paste in concrete mixture. During rolling, these particles hinder

compaction or crack and reduce the concrete structure's strength. There was an effort to

study the impact of an aggregate's shape on the quality of concrete used for houses and

pavements. Initially, aggregate samples were gathered from the stone crusher (two kinds)

and ready for testing of aggregate characteristics and compressive strength and flexural

strength tests on concrete with varying proportions of Flakiness and Elongation indices.
The impact on the compressive and flexural strength of cement concrete of distinct

percentages from 0 to 50% of combined Flaky and Elongation Aggregates (CFEA) for

quality concrete was explored. For distinct aggregate shapes, the other aggregate

characteristics such as bulk density, impact value, water absorption were researched. The

cost analysis was performed in 1:3 ratios of flaky and elongated particles with an

optimum value of 30% CFEA. Each material of the PlastBricks has different surface

texture and surface particles. For the Cement that binds the two aggregates, the surface

texture and particle’s shape are the fine rounded particles and the smooth textured

surfaces. According to the University of Washington that Flat or Elongated Particles

These kinds of particles have a propensity to hinder compaction or rupture in the course

of compaction and therefore lower strength. Smooth-Surfaced Particles These types of

particles possess a lesser surface-to-volume ratio than rough-surfaced particles and ergo,

can be easier to cover with binder. It is likely to be more efficient in bonding with rough-

surfaced particles, and in Plain Cement Concrete (PCC) rough-surfaced particles, they

supply more area for the cement paste to bond to. Hence, rough-surface particles are

sensible for both Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and Plain Cement Concrete (PCC). The

aggregate particles are the formation of gathering of the suspension and represent the

destabilization of the colloidal system from the mechanism. In determining the proper

compaction, workability and deformation resistance of particles, it is important to know

the shape and surface texture from the given aggregate particle. Rough surface texture are

best because of the shape of particles which is cubic-angular particles while rounded

particles generate less interlock of particle-to-particle which serves better workability and

easier to compact. The smooth particles of the cement showed the high workability of
cement. According to Mishra that the water contents the most significant factor in terms

of workability. This workability increases along with the increase of water content which

is measured in either kg or liter per cubic meter of concrete. We can express the

connection in terms of water-cement ratio. If the cement ratio is small, it suggests high

amount cement which is beneficial for good strength. However, the small water-cement is

responsible for lower workability. If the correct mixture proportion cannot be attained,

the concrete will not be strong enough as preferred. On the other hand, if the water-

cement ratio is increased, workability and compaction problem will be resolved but there

may come about some other problems like bleeding and losing compressive strength.

Consequently, an optimum water-cement ratio has to be maintained to balance both the

strength and the workability of the concrete. and for the coarse aggregate, which is the

sand has an irregular shaped particles and rough surface texture. For the PlastBrick’s

alternative aggregates, the Low-Density Polyethylene and Polyethylene Terephthalate

Plastics contain different surface texture, referring to figure 5.1.3. and figure 5.2.2. As of

figure 5.1.3 the image of Low-Density Polyethylene showed the round fine particles and

the smooth surfaced particles. On the other hand, figure 5.2.2. showed the Polyethylene

Terephthalate Plastic’s irregular large particles and the rough surfaced particles. A study

conducted by Alsayed, stated that about 75% of a concrete’s volume is formed by

aggregates, their parameters such as their gradation, texture, shape and maximum size

have a significant impact on the properties and the overall behavior of the concrete. The

shape and the texture of an aggregate mainly rely on whether the aggregate has been

reduced to its present size by natural means or by crushing in an aggregate processing

plant. The Natural Aggregate (NA) normally has a nearly spherical shape and a smooth
texture. On the other hand, the Crushed Aggregate (CA) has an irregular shape and its

surface is rough. Furthermore, spherical particles tend to hand a lower surface to volume

ratio and, as a result, needs less mortar to envelop them. Irregular particles, in contrast,

need more mortar and develop stronger aggregate-mortar bond which result to concrete

of higher strength. Its aggregate gradation also has an impact on the properties of the

concrete. If all of the particles of the aggregate are uniformed in their size, the aggregate

may not be compressed correctly. Conversely, if the aggregate is well graded and the

particles comprises of different sized then at the time of compaction, or the exertion of

force on something so that it becomes denser, the smaller particles fill the empty space

between the larger ones. Therefore, concrete made of well graded aggregate is dense and

comprises of fewer voids. The maximum size of aggregate is in direct proportion with its

particular surface area, thus the amount of mixing water needed to provide a certain level

of workability reduces with the increase of the maximum size of aggregate. Lessening in

the amount of water provokes an increase in the concrete strength and a reduction of the

quantity of cement brings out an economically useful concrete, especially for mass

concrete construction. Polyethylene Terephthalate Plastic is effective than Low- Density

Polyethylene in terms of compressive strength.

Scope and Limitation
This research study focused on developing a paving block mixed with plastics as

aggregate in the cement to help solve plastic waste pollution and excessive mining prevalent in

the world. This product aimed to be an alternative to the traditional paving block and will prove

that the use of plastic as an aggregate in cement mix is much more efficient than the former.

There are 28 set-ups including the control group, 5% PET bottle aggregate mix and 5% Low-

density polyethylene aggregate mix.

A total of 3.6 kilograms of PET bottles and 3.6 kilograms were gathered in the area of

Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. The shredding of PET bottles was done at Well Well Metalworks &

Fabrication Barangay Sun-ok, Consolacion, Cebu while the shredding of Low-Density

Polythylene bottles was done at the Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) Casanta Soong Lapu-

Lapu City, and the molding of the PlastBricks was done Archival’s Eco-House located at Sitio

Ylaya, Talamban, Mandaue City. The testing of the Compressive Strength, and Water

Absorption was done at E.B. Testing Center Incorporated located at 254 Sikatuna Street, Cebu

City. The scanning of the surface of the paving block using Field Emission Scanning Electron

Microscope was done University of San Carlos Physics Department located at Fr. Lawrence

Bunzel Bldg., Talamban Campus. The results of this investigation will only be true to the tests

the specimen conducted in. The experimental part of the study was the compressive strength, and

water absorption test which lasted for 3 days. The timeline of this study lasted for three months
 CONCLUSION

The functionality of Project PlastBrick, based of research used polyethylene plastics

specifically Polyethylene Terephthalate Bottles and Low-Density Polyethylene Plastics as

aggregates. After the final products were made, data was gathered and tested through different

functionality test namely compressive strength and water absorption.

The operation of this set-up is based on actual and standard testing facility through the

use of ; for determining compressive strength they utilized a hydraulic press; and for determining

the water absorption, they followed standard procedures which include oven-heating at 105o for

72 hours, sealing in a container for 24 hours , and submerging of blocks for 30 minutes. Also, the

product underwent a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope on a reliable observation

facility. All necessary precautions and provisions were done to be fully accurate with all the test

and final results.

With the final data gathered, it can be concluded that the assumption that Project

PlastBrick is effective in terms of compressive strength and water absorption and can compete

with standard paving blocks on the market. As the data shows, the research is proven correct

with all the results gathered.

 RECOMMENDATIONS

1. It is recommended that future researchers should try various kinds of plastics as an alternative

aggregate to further determine which kind of plastic is suitable as an alternative aggregate.

2. It is also recommended that future researchers should shred the plastic aggregates to the same

size with the other aggregates found in the bricks to make it more convenient in getting a sample

for the scanning electron microscope.

3. It is also recommended that future researchers should do a background check about the tests

necessary before conducting the tests, to make it easier to communicate with the expert handling

the tests.

4. It is also recommended that in handling the samples for FESEM, precautionary measures must

be taken, in order to avoid any unwanted incidents that might affect the sample greatly.

5. It is also recommended that the future researchers should immediately find the equipment

necessary for shredding the plastics.

6. It is also recommended that the future researchers should find or make a mold for the bricks

first before anything else in order to secure the production and the schedule.

7. It is also recommended that the future researchers should make different batches of bricks with

different percentages of plastics in order to determine the best ratio for each kind of plastic and

the best among the bricks.

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