Compressive Strength and Bulk Density of Concrete Hollow Blocks (CHB) Infused with Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) Pellets

Alvin Joseph Santos Dolores, Jonathan David Lasco, Timothy M. Bertiz, Kimjay M. Lamar

Abstract


Infusing plastic waste to concrete and masonry structures is an increasingly common industry practice that has the potential to create an environment-friendly material that can improve some of the material’s properties, craft a novel means to repurpose plastic waste, and reduce the need for mining aggregates in the environment. This concept has been studied extensively in different forms of concrete, as shown by several studies; however, there is a dearth of studies focusing on the incorporation plastic waste in concrete hollow blocks (CHB). In this study, we aim to fill that gap by investigating on the effects of incorporating low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a commonly used plastic material, to CHB on its compressive strength and bulk density. Samples of varying percentages of LDPE replacement by volume (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%) were fabricated and tested. Results showed a general trend of decreasing compressive strength and bulk density upon increasing the amount of LDPE pellets in CHB, which was also observed in previous studies. However, the compressive strength of CHB increased at 10% LDPE replacement, a result similar to a previous study. It was inferred that the strength of the plastic material could have a direct contribution to the compressive strength of CHB at low percentage of aggregate replacement. Statistical analysis showed that the mix with 10% LDPE pellets as replacement to sand was the best among the samples tested. It was shown that CHB infused with LDPE pellets has a higher compressive strength than what is normally used in the Philippines. It was concluded that based on compressive strength and bulk density, LDPE pellets is a viable material to use as partial replacement to sand in non-load bearing CHB.


Keywords


Low Density Polyethylene; Compressive Strength; Bulk Density; Concrete Hollow Block.

References


Darban Astane, A. R., and M. Hajilo. "Factors affecting the rural domestic waste generation." Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management 3, no. 4 (2017): 417-426. doi:10.22034/gjesm.2017.03.04.007.

Hoornweg, D., & Bhada-Tata, P. “WHAT A WASTE: A Global Review of Solid Waste Management. Urban Development & Local Government Unit.” (2012).

Jambeck, J. R., R. Geyer, C. Wilcox, T. R. Siegler, M. Perryman, A. Andrady, R. Narayan, and K. L. Law. “Plastic Waste Inputs from Land into the Ocean.” Science 347, no. 6223 (February 12, 2015): 768–771. doi:10.1126/science.1260352.

Geyer, Roland, Jenna R. Jambeck, and Kara Lavender Law. “Production, Use, and Fate of All Plastics Ever Made.” Science Advances 3, no. 7 (July 2017): e1700782. doi:10.1126/sciadv.1700782.

Republic Act 9003. “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000”. Congress of the Philippines (2000). Enacted January 26, 2001.

Bernardo, Eileen C. “Solid-Waste Management Practices of Households in Manila, Philippines.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1140, no. 1 (October 2008): 420–424. doi:10.1196/annals.1454.016.

Castillo, A., & Otoma, S. “Status of Solid Waste Management in the Philippines.” Annual Conference of Japan Society of Material Cycles and Waste Management (2013): 677-678. doi:10.14912/jsmcwm.24.0_677.

Liamzon, C., Benosa, S., Aliño, M., & Baconguis, B. “SACHET ECONOMY: Big Problems in Small Packets.” (2020).

Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives. “Plastics Exposed: How Waste Assessments and Brand Audits are Helping Philippine Cities Fight Plastic Pollution.” (2019).

Zion Market Research. “Construction Aggregates Market by Product Type (Crushed Stones, Sand, Gravel, and Others) and by End-user (Residential, Commercial, and Industrial): Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis, and Forecast, 2018-2025.” (2018).

Othman, Ayman M. “Effect of Low-Density Polyethylene on Fracture Toughness of Asphalt Concrete Mixtures.” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 22, no. 10 (October 2010): 1019–1024. doi:10.1061/(asce)mt.1943-5533.0000106.

Dalhat, M. A., Al-Adham, K., & Habib, M. A. “Recycling of different plastics in asphalt concrete.” Use of Recycled Plastics in Eco-Efficient Concrete (2019): 287–305. doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-102676-2.00013-x.

Vila-Cortavitarte, M., Lastra-González, P., Calzada-Pérez, M.A., & Indacoechea-Vega, I. “The use of recycled plastic as partial replacement of bitumen in asphalt concrete.” Use of Recycled Plastics in Eco-Efficient Concrete (2019): 327–347. doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-102676-2.00015-3.

Pacheco-Torgal, F., Jalali, S., & Ding, Y. “Properties and durability of concrete containing polymeric wastes (tyre rubber and polyethylene terephthalate bottles): An overview.” Construction and Building Materials 30 (2012): 714-724. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.11.047.

Ismail, Z. Z., & AL-Hashmi, E. A. “Use of waste plastic in concrete mixture as aggregate replacement.” Waste Management, 28(11) (2008): 2041–2047. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2007.08.023.

Alqahtani, Fahad K., Gurmel Ghataora, Samir Dirar, M. Iqbal Khan, and Idrees Zafar. “Experimental Study to Investigate the Engineering and Durability Performance of Concrete Using Synthetic Aggregates.” Construction and Building Materials 173 (June 2018): 350–358. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.04.018.

Hameed, A. M., & Fatah Ahmed, B. A. “Employment the plastic waste to produce the light weight concrete.” Energy Procedia, 157 (2019): 30–38. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2018.11.160.

Mohammed, Azad A., Ilham I. Mohammed, and Shuaaib A. Mohammed. “Some Properties of Concrete with Plastic Aggregate Derived from Shredded PVC Sheets.” Construction and Building Materials 201 (March 2019): 232–245. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.12.145.

Ashwini, M.B.T. “Partial replacement of E-plastic Waste as Coarse-aggregate in concrete.” Procedia Environmental Sciences 35 (2016): 731-739. doi:10.1016/j.proenv.2016.07.079.

Azhdarpour, A. M., Nikoudel, M. R., & Taheri, M. “The effect of using polyethylene terephthalate particles on physical and strength-related properties of concrete; a laboratory evaluation.” Construction and Building Materials 109 (2016): 55–62. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.01.056.

Aldahdooh, M. A. A., Jamrah, A., Alnuaimi, A., Martini, M. I., Ahmed, M. S. R., & Ahmed, A. S. R. “Influence of various plastics-waste aggregates on properties of normal concrete.” Journal of Building Engineering, 17 (2018): 13–22. doi:10.1016/j.jobe.2018.01.014.

Devin, Austin, and P. Fanning. "Non-load bearing elements and their contribution to a structure’s dynamic response." Experimental Vibration Analysis for Civil Engineering Structures (EVACES 2011), Lake Como, Italy (2011): 667-674.

The Manila Times. “PH’s first Eco brick hub.” (2018). Available online: https://www.manilatimes.net/2018/09/05/business/real-estate-and-property/phs-first-ecobrick-hub/438185/.

Green Antz Builders. “Eco-Bricks”, Available online: http://www.greenantz.com/products.

Rola, A.C. 2019. “Managing Plastic Waste and the Role of Local Governments.” National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines (2019). Available online: https://www.nast.ph/index.php/downloads/category/151-sinlge-use-plastics?download=632:3-rola-science-advisory-layout-b-191121.

Lasco, Jonathan David, Marish Madlangbayan, and Marloe Baclayon Sundo. “Compressive Strength and Bulk Density of Concrete Hollow Blocks (CHB) with Polypropylene (PP) Pellets as Partial Replacement for Sand.” Civil Engineering Journal 3, no. 10 (November 4, 2017): 821. doi:10.28991/cej-030917.

Bayer, J., L.A. Granda, J.A. Méndez, M.A. Pèlach, F. Vilaseca, and P. Mutjé. “Cellulose Polymer Composites (WPC).” Advanced High Strength Natural Fibre Composites in Construction (2017): 115–139. doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-100411-1.00005-4.

Brydson, J.A. “Plastics Materials, Seventh Edition”. (1999). doi:10.1016/B978-075064132-6/50038-3.

Jin, H., Gonzalez-Gutierrez, J., Oblak, P., Zupančič, B., & Emri, I. “The effect of extensive mechanical recycling on the properties of low density polyethylene.” Polymer Degradation and Stability, 97(11) (2012): 2262-2272. doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2012.07.039

Chong, C. “Properties of Materials.” (1977).

American Society for Testing and Materials. “Standard Specification for Mixing Water Used in the Production of Hydraulic Cement Concrete, ASTM C1602.” Annual book of ASTM Standards (2006).

American Concrete Institute. Committee 211. “Recommended practice for selecting proportions for normal and heavyweight concrete (ACI 211.1-77).” The Institute (1977).

American Society for Testing and Materials. (2006). “Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units, ASTM C140.” Annual book of ASTM Standards (2006).

American Society for Testing and Materials. “Standard Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific Gravity), and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate, ASTM C127.” Annual book of ASTM Standards (2006).

Triantaphyllou, Evangelos. “Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods: A Comparative Study.” Applied Optimization (2000). doi:10.1007/978-1-4757-3157-6.

Ruiz-Herrero, J. L., Velasco Nieto, D., López-Gil, A., Arranz, A., Fernández, A., Lorenzana, A. Merino S., De Saja, J. A., Rodríguez-Pérez, M. Á. “Mechanical and thermal performance of concrete and mortar cellular materials containing plastic waste.” Construction and Building Materials 104 (2016): 298–310. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.12.005.

Saikia, N., & de Brito, J. “Mechanical properties and abrasion behaviour of concrete containing shredded PET bottle waste as a partial substitution of natural aggregate.” Construction and Building Materials 52 (2014): 236–244. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.11.049.

Safi, B., Saidi, M., Aboutaleb, D., & Maallem, M. “The use of plastic waste as fine aggregate in the self-compacting mortars: Effect on physical and mechanical properties.” Construction and Building Materials 43 (2013): 436–442. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.02.049.

Ozyildirim, C. & Carino, N. (2006). “Concrete strength testing.” Significance of tests and properties of concrete and concrete-making materials (2006): 125-140.

Jones, E. & Childers, R. “Contemporary College Physics, Second Edition.” (1993).

Matthews, F., & Rawlings, R. “Composite Materials: Engineering and Science.” (1999).

Mat Shayuti, M. S., Abdullah, M. Z., & Megat Yusoff, P. S. M. “Compressive Properties and Morphology of Polypropylene/Polycarbonate Blends.” International Proceedings of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering 12 (2011) Conference on Environment and Industrial Innovation 12 (2011): 303-307.

American Society for Testing and Materials. “Standard Specification for Non-Load-Bearing Concrete Masonry Units, ASTM C129.” Annual book of ASTM standards (2006).

Imai, H., Inoue, H., Minowa, C., Laniza, A.G., Penarubia, H.C., Narag, I.C., Solidum, R.J.U., Okazaki, K., Narafu, T., Sakuma, J., Kusunoki, J., Hanazato, T. “Shaking Table Experiment for Philippine Full-Scale.” Proceedings of the 15th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering (2012).


Full Text: PDF

DOI: 10.28991/cej-2020-03091593

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.




Copyright (c) 2020 Alvin Joseph Santos Dolores, Jonathan David Lasco, Timothy Bertiz, Kimjay Lamar

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
x
Message