The effect of crushed plastics waste on the structural properties of sandcrete blocks

Abstract

The need for proper disposal of plastic waste has prompted researchers to consider the best way of recycling this non-biodegradable material. This research has looked into the production of sandcrete blocks, using shredded waste plastic in replacing fine aggregate at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 100%. The laboratory experiments conducted were: compressive strength, flexural strength, density and water absorption tests. Both the compressive and flexural tests revealed that sandcrete blocks that contains 5% partial replacement of fine aggregate with shredded plastic have the highest strength when compared with other mixes, the density and water absorption test showed that the control sample has the best result. The study concluded that plastic waste can be used to partially replace fine aggregate in sandcrete block at not more than 5%.