WASTE TO GREEN ECO-CONSTRUCTION

There is drastic reduction of raw materials like limestone, sand and clay which are used as construction materials. A major contribution, mining, causes destruction of mountains, trees and habitats. Sand and gravel represent about 79% of the material extraction which is almost 29 billion tons a year. The severity of plastic pollution has also increased. Almost 8 billion tons/annum of plastic waste is generated with forecast to reach 25 billion tons/annum by year 2050.
The main objective of this project is to produce bricks using natural and recyclable elements and help reduce environmental problems. Our innovation can be applied in the manufacturing of bricks and it maintains the required strength and durability required by the standards.
Recycled PP (polypropylene) and HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) were chosen as they are more readily available. These materials were crushed and used as replacement of sand. Paddy husk ash was used to replace cement due to its high silica contents. The specimens for different mixtures were prepared with different ratios.
Absorption Test, Compression Strength Test and Efflorescence Test were required to determine the suitability of the bricks for construction work. These tests were conducted in accordance withMalaysia Standard MS 7.6: 1972 and British Standard BS 3921:1985.
The results show that PH bricks has the highest compression strength of 9.88N/mm2 and HDPE bricks has a compression strength of 3.10N/mm2. The weakest brick is PP bricks with only 0.81N/mm2. HDPE bricks has the best absorption rate of 10%. PH bricks has 13% absorption rate. PP absorption rate exceeds 20%. All PP,PH and HDPE show no signs of Efflorescence.
Due to the strength and absorption rate, PH and HDPE bricks can be used for loadbearing walls. PP bricks can be used for garden patios or hardscape.