Abstract:
Brick is widely used construction material which consists of a mixture of clay plus water called
clay brick, and it is a very versatile material used in the construction industry. However, the
brick production industry requires a large input of non-renewable natural resources that causes
negative impacts on the environment. Also, plastics are one of the materials present in our
everyday life which have many chemical and hazardous substances which affect human health
and surrounding environment.
This study aims on the production of brick using waste plastic material and sand in the ratio of
1:2, 1:4, and 1:6 of brick size 19cm X 9cm X 4cm. Experimental laboratory investigation was
made to determine the properties such as compressive strength, absorption capacity and
efflorescence of brick produced from waste plastic material and sand. To achieve the objective,
waste plastic material was collected from waste disposal sites and isolated from other waste
plastics by their codes on the plastic products and then shredded, washed, dried, and melted
within the range of 257-315 °C temperature in open-air. After melting of PET in to liquid-state,
fixing proportion and homogenous mixing of the two materials (PET and sand) then fed in to the
mold and testing of the samples after 48 hours was conducted. The test results notice that
properties of two samples produced from waste plastic and sand satisfy the class-B criteria
based on Ethiopian Building Code Standard requirements. The other one sample fall and only
satisfies the efflorescent test requirement of the standard. The test result for 1:2 ratio having
strength of 17.87mpa, absorption capacity of 1.35%, and nil efflorescent. Thus, a mix ratio of
1:2 is the optimum proportion of PET plastic and sand which fulfills both the compressive
strength and water absorption capacity requirements. It can be concluded that PET waste plastic
founded to be useful for the production of brick.
