USE OF WASTE PLASTIC IN GREEN MASONRY BRICKS

USE OF WASTE PLASTIC IN GREEN MASONRY

BRICKS

Abstract: Plastic, a naturally occurring substance, has emerged as a significant

environmental pollutant due to its uncontrolled usage. The escalating demand for
construction materials, coupled with the depletion of non-renewable resources,
necessitates the exploration of sustainable alternatives. This study investigates the
feasibility of employing Scrap Plastic Waste (SPW) and river sand (RS) to produce
green efficient masonry bricks as a sustainable construction material. Bricks were cast
with varying ratios of SPW to RS, specifically 50%, 30%, and 40% by volume of river
sand. The resulting bricks underwent extensive testing to assess durability, water
absorption properties, as well as compressive and tensile strength. The need for this
project arises from the urgent requirement to mitigate the global crisis caused by plastic
pollution and the unsustainable nature of conventional construction materials. By
repurposing Scrap Plastic Waste and utilizing river sand, this study aims to address both
environmental concerns and the high cost of construction materials. The work involved
collecting Scrap Plastic Waste and preparing it for integration with river sand. The SPW
was processed, ensuring its proper melting and blending with river sand. The resulting
composite material was used to cast masonry bricks with varying ratios. The casted
bricks were subjected to rigorous testing to evaluate their properties. Durability tests
examined their resistance to weathering and degradation over time, while water
absorption tests assessed their ability to resist water penetration. Compressive load
testing gauged the bricks' ability to withstand crushing forces, and tensile load testing
measured their resistance to being pulled apart. The results of the tests revealed
promising findings for the green efficient masonry bricks. The compressive strength
values obtained were 14.03 N/mm², 17.53 N/mm², and 21.63 N/mm² for the 50%, 40%,
and 30% SPW ratios, respectively. These results demonstrate the bricks' suitability for
structural applications, highlighting their potential as a viable alternative to
conventional construction materials. In conclusion, the utilization of Scrap Plastic
Waste and river sand as composite materials for masonry bricks offers an eco-friendly
and cost-effective solution to address both environmental concerns and the depletion of

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 USE OF WASTE PLASTIC IN GREEN MASONRY BRICKS

non-renewable resources. The findings of this study underscore the potential of green
efficient masonry bricks as a sustainable construction material, paving the way for
future research and widespread implementation in the construction industry.

Keywords: Scrap Plastic Waste, River sand, Bricks

1. Introduction
Plastics encompass a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials utilising
polymers as their primary component. The plasticity of these materials allows for
moulding, extrusion, and pressing into various solid shapes, thanks to which they boast
exceptional adaptability. Alongside numerous other advantageous properties like
lightweight, durability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, plastics have found extensive
applications in various industries. They are predominantly produced through human
industrial systems, with modern variants primarily derived from fossil fuel-based
chemicals such as natural gas or petroleum. Nevertheless, recent advancements have
introduced industrial methods that use renewable sources like corn or cotton
derivatives. Plastic has become an incredibly prevalent material used worldwide. Its
lightweight and compact nature makes it a dominant choice for reusability in the current
era. We encounter common plastic items like covers, bottles, and food packages
frequently. However, the critical issue with plastic lies in its non-biodegradable nature.
The polymer chemicals constituting plastic do not decompose when discarded, leading
to pollution of the environment when they accumulate in the air and land. Recycling is
an essential process that can help prevent the waste of useful materials. Utilizing eco-
friendly, low-cost, and lightweight construction materials in the building industry has
gained popularity, necessitating exploration into environmentally beneficial practices
while maintaining material requirements and standards. Among the advantageous
procedures for plastic recycling, the production of plastic bricks stands out as an
optimal method to tackle plastic waste decomposition while being economically
feasible for building material production. This study aims to incorporate plastic waste
from factories with cement and sand to create sand bricks, which will then undergo tests
for compressive strength, efflorescence, and water absorption. In previous research,
various replacement and addition approaches have been experimented with, involving
the direct inclusion of shredded polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles,
chemically treated polyethylene-fiber, and PET in small particle form to replace natural

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coarse aggregate. The majority of these replacements were calculated based on volume
and showed a decrease in compressive strength as the amount of plastic waste
increased.

Aneke et al. (2021) presented a rational approach to converting waste materials into
energy-efficient construction elements. Focusing on the development of Waste
Masonry Bricks (WMB), the research explores the utilization of PET plastic waste
(PPW) and recycled crushed glass (RCG) as alternative materials. The WMBs are
produced using varying ratios of RCG, and their load-bearing capacity is evaluated
through compressive and tensile strength tests, adhering to the South African National
Standard. Durability assessments involve submerging the WMBs in sulphuric acid
solutions of different molarities and subjecting them to wetting and drying cycles. The
results reveal that the WMBs exhibit significant improvements in both tensile and
compressive strength, surpassing conventional clay bricks. The WMBs also
demonstrate resistance to acid-induced mass loss and exhibit fast curing and low water
absorption properties, attaining over 80% of their ultimate strength within a short time
frame. In terms of sustainability, the utilization of plastic waste and crushed glass in
WMB production not only reduces environmental impact but also requires significantly
lower energy consumption compared to clay brick firing. The study concludes that
WMB offer a promising solution for efficient and durable construction materials,
contributing to waste reduction and resource conservation in the building industry.

Akinwumi et al. (2019) aimed to assess the feasibility of incorporating shredded waste
plastic as reinforcement in Compressed Earth Bricks (CEB) for the purpose of
affordable housing. The study encompasses a range of engineering tests, including
specific gravity, particle size distribution, Atterberg limits, and compaction tests, to
examine the soil properties. Moreover, the compressive strengths and erosion rates of
CEB produced using varying percentages (0%, 1%, 3%, and 7%) of shredded waste
plastic are evaluated. The findings reveal that the addition of 1% shredded waste plastic
with particle sizes less than 6.3 mm results in a remarkable 244.4% increase in
compressive strength. Additionally, this composition exhibits the lowest erosion rate
among the CEB samples stabilized with shredded waste plastic. Consequently, the
study recommends the utilization of 1% shredded waste plastic with particle sizes
below 6.3 mm, provided that adequate protection is implemented to prevent erosion on
the exterior surfaces of the constructed walls. By incorporating waste plastic, not only

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can the issue of improper disposal and environmental nuisance be addressed, but it also
has the potential to yield stronger and cost-effective bricks, thereby contributing to the
development of affordable housing. Furthermore, to enhance the compressive strength
and durability of CEB containing shredded waste plastic, the researchers suggest the
addition of a binder such as cement, lime, or other locally available and environmentally
friendly additives. The utilization of waste plastic in the construction industry not only
helps to minimize environmental pollution but also provides an affordable solution for
housing in developing countries.

2. Materials and Methodology

HDPE and LDPE plastics were collected from Modern Plastics Industries, Bethora IDC
Ponda,Goa. The plastics were in the form of fine granules. The river sand was collected
from a local supplier.

2.1. Fixing the Proportions of Sand and Plastic

For the fabrication of plastic sand bricks, plastic and sand are mixed in different
proportions and bricks containing different amount of plastic and sand are made. Plastic
and river sand are mixed in different ratios 30%, 40%, and 50%. The reason behind
taking different proportions of plastic and river sand is to find the optimum proportion
which gives the desired results. The bricks made of these ratios will further be
investigated for various desired properties.

2.2. Preparation of Brick Mould

The moulds used are Mild steel (MS) plate moulds. All the sides and surfaces of the
mould should be even for the brick to have better surface finish. Both fixed and movable
moulds can be used for the purpose. MS plate mould will be cost effective and serve
the purpose. Mould size would be 190 x 90 x 90 mm.

2.3. Melting

In this melting of plastic bottles is done. Plastic pieces are put in drum for melting. In
the first step stones, drum and firewood are arranged. The stones hold the drum and the
firewood is ignited. Drum is heated to remove moisture from the drum. The plastic is
then put into the drum and allowed to melt.

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2.4. Mixing

Pieces of plastic are added into drum for melting until the proportion required by us is
achieved. River sand is used for addition in plastic sand mixture. When the temperature
of the melted plastic in the drum is around 180o C-200o C then the sand is added into
the drum. The river sand and the melted plastic is stirred continuously so that both gets
bonded perfectly. As the plastic pieces melt it start getting bonding with the sand
particles and hence the mixture required for brick is created.

2.5. Moulding

In moulding process, the prepared mixture is then filled into mould and then
compressed by tamping rod. The pressure is applied by the tampering rod so as the
mixture gets filled properly in the mould. Then it is left for cooling in air but before
filling the mould apply oil on the walls of mould so that at last brick can be removed
easily. The application of oil on the inner surfaces of the mould is must as after
solidification the brick will not come out easily and to remove the mould some pressure
must be applied that would wear the edges of the brick. So proper oiling is needed
before filling the mixture in the mould. The brick then can be removed from the mould
after 24 hours.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1 Compression Strength test (BS 5628: Part 1: 1992)

In this test, the cubical brick specimen is placed in the compression strength testing
machine. After placing it, we will apply the load on the brick without any shock. The
load will be increased at a rate of 140kg/cm2 min continuously till the specimen’s
resistance to increasing load breaks down and it cannot withstand any greater load
further. COMPRESIVE STRENGTH= MAXIMUM LOAD APPLIED / SPECIMEN
AREA Where, F - Maximum load applied (KN) A – Specimen Area (mm2) Table 3.1
shows the results of compressive test on bricks.

Table 3.1 shows the results of compressive test on bricks.

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 USE OF WASTE PLASTIC IN GREEN MASONRY BRICKS

Table 3.1: Result of compressive strength test

Sample no. Ratio Maximum Compressive Average

load (kN) strength compressive
(N/mm²) strength
(N/mm²)

1 1:1:2 230 13.45

240 14.03 14.03

250 14.61

2 3:3:4 290 16.95

300 17.54 17.53

310 18.12

3 7:7:6 360 21.03

370 21.63 21.63

380 22.22

25
Average compressive strength

21.63
20
17.53
15
14.03
(N/mm²)

10

0
50% 60% 70%
Percentage of plastic

Graph 3.1 : Compressive strength of plastic brick

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 USE OF WASTE PLASTIC IN GREEN MASONRY BRICKS

3.2 Water Absorption Test (IS 1077-1970)

In this test at first the bricks are weighed in total dry conditions. Then they will be
allowed to be dipped in fresh water for about 24 hours in a container. The bricks are
taken out of the water after 24 hours and are wiped with a cloth. The wet brick is
weighed using a weighing machine. For the calculation of water absorption, the
difference between wet brick and dry brick is done.

The difference is the amount of water absorbed by the brick. After that the percentage
of water absorption is calculated using the data. Water absorption of bricks tells about
the bonding of bricks with mortar. Although other factors such as grooves and design
on bricks also improve the bonding. For sand bricks which have less water absorptivity
leaner mortar layer is used for bonding bricks and mortar. Greater quality bricks absorb
less amount of water. For a good quality brick, the water absorption should be less than
20% of its own weight.

Water absorption = {[Mass of wet brick–Mass of dry brick]/Mass of dry brick} x

100
m2−m1
= ( ) 𝑋 100
m1

Where,

m1 = Mass of dry brick

m2 = Mass of wet brick

Table 3.2 shows the results of water absorption test on bricks.

Sample no. Ratio Dry weight of Wet mass of brick Water absorption
brick (Kg) in %
(Kg)

1 1:1:2 2.935 2.952 1.28

2 3:3:4 2.796 2.833 1.32

3 7:7:6 2.303 2.332 1.25

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 USE OF WASTE PLASTIC IN GREEN MASONRY BRICKS

1.34

1.32 1.32

1.3
% of water absorption

1.28 1.28

1.26
1.25
1.24

1.22

1.2
50% 60% 70%

Percentage of plastic

Graph 3.2 : Water absorption graph

Conclusion
In conclusion, this study conducted a comprehensive investigation into the use of
Scrap Plastic Waste (SPW) and river sand (RS) as a composite material for producing
green efficient masonry bricks, addressing the urgent need for sustainable
construction solutions. The motivation behind this project stems from the escalating
global crisis of plastic pollution and the unsustainable nature of conventional
construction materials derived from non-renewable sources.

The work involved careful collection and processing of Scrap Plastic Waste, ensuring
its proper melting and blending with river sand. By varying the ratios of SPW to RS,
masonry bricks were casted at 50%, 30%, and 40% SPW volume proportions. This
allowed for the evaluation of the bricks' durability, water absorption properties, as
well as their compressive and tensile strength.

The obtained results demonstrate the suitability of the green efficient masonry bricks
as a promising construction material. In terms of compressive strength, the bricks with
50% SPW ratio exhibited a value of 14.03 N/mm², indicating their structural integrity

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and ability to withstand crushing forces. The bricks with 30% SPW ratio displayed a
higher compressive strength of 21.63 N/mm², showcasing an even stronger resistance
to compression. Moreover, the bricks with 40% SPW ratio showed a compressive
strength of 17.53 N/mm², further highlighting their structural robustness.

In addition to their strength characteristics, the masonry bricks exhibited favorable

water absorption properties. They demonstrated the ability to resist water
penetration, ensuring their durability and longevity in various environmental
conditions. This attribute is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of buildings
over time and reducing the risk of water-induced damage.

The use of Scrap Plastic Waste and river sand as composite materials in the production
of green efficient masonry bricks offers several benefits. Firstly, it contributes to the
reduction of plastic waste, addressing the environmental concern of plastic pollution.
Secondly, it offers a sustainable solution by utilizing a renewable resource (river sand)
instead of relying solely on non-renewable materials. Additionally, the production of
these bricks can potentially reduce the overall construction costs, making it a cost-
effective alternative.

The findings of this study highlight the potential of green efficient masonry bricks as a
sustainable construction material. The successful integration of Scrap Plastic Waste
and river sand offers a practical solution to the environmental challenges associated
with plastic waste and the depletion of natural resources. Further research and
development are warranted to optimize the production process, enhance mechanical
properties, and explore potential applications in different construction scenarios.

In conclusion, the utilization of Scrap Plastic Waste and river sand for producing green
efficient masonry bricks presents a viable and eco-friendly solution for the
construction industry. The positive results obtained in this study emphasize the
importance of promoting sustainable practices and reducing environmental impact
through innovative approaches. By adopting these green bricks, we can contribute to
a greener future while addressing the pressing global issues of plastic pollution and
resource depletion.

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References
Isaac I. Akinwumi, Marine plastics pollution and affordable housing challenge:
Shredded waste plastic stabilized soil for producing compressed earth bricks (2019)
(accessed November, 2022) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2019.e00241

Frank IkenchekweAneke, Greeen-efficient masonry bricks produced from scrap plastic

waste and foundry sand (2023) (accessed September 2022)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2021.e00515

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