Study of

ABSTRACT Plastic waste which is increasing day by day becomes eyesore and in turn pollutes the
environment, especially in high mountain villages where no garbage collection system exists. A large
amount of plastic is being brought into the tourist trekking regions are discarded or burned which leads
to the contamination of environment and air. Hence, these waste plastics are to be effectively utilized.
Low-density polyethylene bags are cleaned and added with sand at particular percentages to obtain high
strength bricks that possess thermal and sound insulation properties to control pollution and to reduce
the overall cost of construction; this is one of the best ways to avoid the accumulation of plastic waste
which is an on-degradable pollutant. This alternatively saves the quantity of sand/clay that has to be
taken away from the precious river beds/mines. The plastic waste is naturally available in surplus
quantity and hence the cost factor comes down. Also coloring agents can be added to the mixture to
attain desired shades. Hence in this thesis, an attempt is made to study regard the properties of the brick
which is manufactured using plastic wastes. The present work deals with the manufacturing and analysis
of bricks made with waste plastic (LDPE) and fine aggregates. The bricks produced are light weight, have
smooth surface and fine edges, do not have cracks and have high crushing strength and very low water
absorption. The bricks are manufactured by heating waste plastic to temperature range of 120 to 150
degree centigrade and mixing sand to the molten plastic. Keywords: Plastic Waste, Environment,
Compressive strength, Water Absorption, Brick.

INTRODUCTION Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is the most common packaging material used
worldwide and is used for packaging a variety of products. It is also used for making containers and
bottles. However they pose great threat to the environment as their effective disposal is a herculean
task. They are not easily degradable; it usually takes more than ten decades to decompose. As a result,
they clog water ways, channels and drains. As they require many years to decompose, they fill up the
landfills faster. Polythene bags and packaging sheets harm aquatic life and wildlife as they pose the
threat of chocking if ingested. Low density polythene can be reused for making bricks. Bricks are the
basic components of a building and are required in bulk. By using plastic in making the brick, the overall
cost of the brick will get reduced as, waste polyethylene is being reused. Brick earth is costly, and digging
of brick earth poses some damage to the environment. Hence using plastic to make bricks is not only
cost effective and ecofriendly but also the plastic bricks have a smooth finish, devoid of cracks and have
low water absorption value, and will not have problems like efflorescence in future.

PRESENT SCENARIO OF WASTE GENERATION IN INDIA:

Growth of population has increased our urbanization as a result rising standard of living due to
technological innovations have contributed to an increase both in the quantity and variety of solid
wastes generated by industrial, agricultural activities, mining and domestic. Globally the estimated
quantity of wastes generation was 12 billion tones in the year 2002 of which 11 billion tones were
industrial wastes and 1.6 billion tones were municipal solid wastes (MSW). About 19 billion tons of solid
wastes are expected to be generated annually by the year 2020. Annually, Asia alone generates 4.4
billion tons of solid wastes and MSW comprise 795 million tons of which about 48 (6%) MT are
generated in India. MSW generation in India, is expected to reach 300 Million tones and land
requirement for disposal of this waste would be 169.6 km2 as against which only 20.2 km2 were
occupied in 1997 for management of 48 Million tones. As it is studied that apart from municipal wastes,
the organic wastes from agricultural sources alone contribute more than 350 million tons per year.
However, it is reported that about 600 million tons of wastes have been generated in India from
agricultural sources alone. The Quantity of wastes generated from agricultural sources are sugarcane
baggage, paddy and wheat straw and husk, wastes of vegetables, food products, tea, oil production,
wooden mill waste, coconut husk, jute fiber, groundnut shell, cotton stalk etc. In the industrial sector
inorganic solid waste could are coal combustion residues, bauxite red mud, tailings from aluminum, iron,
copper and zinc primary extraction processes. Generation of all these inorganic industrial wastes in India
is estimated to be 290 million Tons per annum. In India, 4.5 million tons of hazardous wastes are being
generated annually during different industrial process like electroplating, various metal extraction
processes, galvanizing, refinery, petrochemical industries, pharmaceutical and pesticide industries.

MATERIALS USED 2.1 SAND Common river sand having specific gravity of 2.56 and fineness modulus of
2.805 is used.

PROPERTIES OF FINE AGGREGATE TABLE 3:Physical Characteristics of Fine Aggregate Particulars Test
Results Specific gravity 2.56 Apparent Specific gravity 2.7 Water Absorption 1.98 Bulk Density 1.497Kg/L
Fineness Modulus 2.805

LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLINE When exposed to ambient solar radiation the plastic procedure two
greenhouse gases, methane and ethylene. Due to its lowdensity properties (branching) it breaks down
more easily over time, leading to higher surface areas. The supply of glasses shall be of diagonal gases
from virgin LDPE increase with surface area or time, with rates at the end of a 212day incubation of 5.8
nmol g1 d-1 of methane, 14.5 nmol g-1 d-1 of ethylene, 3.9 nmol g-1 d1 of ethane and 9.7 nmol g-1 d-1
of propylene. In case of air it was incubated, LDPE releases gases in air by ~2 times and ~76 times higher
in comparison to water for methane and ethylene, respectively. Low density polyethylene, obtained from
waste plastic bags, packaging materials, plastic bottles having density of 0.91- 0.94 g/cm3, melting point
at about 115 degree centigrade is used.

METHODOLOGY  Collection of Materials.  Batching.  Melting.  Mixing.  Moulding.  Curing

Collection of Plastic Materials The plastic material should be collected from the factories waste and
hospital waste and industries waste and also food packages and plastic bottles this will come under the
LDPE plastic type 3.2 Batching of plastic Measurement of materials for making brick is called batching.
After collection of materials we separate the types of plastic and remove any other waste presented in
the collected material and check that any water content in in sample collected ten proceed for burning.
3.3 Burning of waste plastic After completion batching the plastic waste was taken for burning in which
the plastic bags are drop one by one into the container and allowed to melt. These would be done in
closed vessel because to prevent the toxic gases released into atmosphere. These will be at the
temperature of 120-150 degrees centigrade. 3.4 Mixing Mixing of materials is essential for the
production of uniform and strength for brick. The mixing has to be ensuring that the mass becomes
homogeneous, uniform in color and consistency. Generally, there are two types of mixing, Hand mixing
and mechanical mixing. In this project, we adopted hand mixing. Until the entire plastic content required
for making plastic brick of one mix proportion is added into it. Then these plastic liquids thoroughly
mixed by using trowel before it hardens. The mixture has very short setting bags are turned to molten
state; the river sand is added to it. The sand added is mixed time. Hence mixing process should not
consume more time. 3.5 Moulding After completion of proper mixing we place mix into required mould.
In these projects we use the normal brick sizes (19x9x9 cm). After 2 days remove the brick from the
mould and then done curing.

Curing The test specimens after moulding were allowed to dry for a period of 24 hours. The specimens
were kept in curing tank and allowed to cure for a period of 28 days.

TESTING OF SPECIMEN 4.1 Compressive Strength Test: This test is done to know the compressive
strength of brick. It is also called the crushing strength of brick. Generally, 3 specimens of bricks are
taken to laboratory for the testing and tested one by one. In this test, a brick specimen is put on
compressive strength is put on Compressive Strength testing machine and applied pressure at a constant
arte till it breaks. The ultimate pressure at which brick is crushed is taken into account. All three brick
specimens are tested one by one and average result is taken as bricks compressive/crushing strength.
The Compressive Strength of the brick is calculated by the formula = (max load taken before failure/ Area
of the Brick surface) N/mm

4.2 Water Absorption Test: In this the bricks first weighted in dry condition and they are immersed in
water for 24 hours. After that they are taken out from water and they are wiping out with cloth. Then
the difference between the dry and wet bricks percentage are calculated. They weight of the three
plastic bricks has been taken and then the average weight of the bricks is calculated. 5. RESULT AND
DISCUSSIONS 5.1 WATER ABSORPTION This test is carried out to determine the amount of water
absorbed by the brick. As per IS:3495-Part 2-1992 , after immersed in cold water for a period of 24
hours, water absorption shall not be more than 20 % for up to class 12.5and 15 % of weight for higher
classes. Initially 5 bricks were taken and removed all the loose particles. Dry the bricks in a ventilated
oven at a temperature of 110℃ till the brick attain substantially constant weights. Cooled the bricks at
room temperature and taken weight of each sample W1; then immersed the bricks in clean water at
temperature of 25 ℃ to 29 ℃ for 24 hr and removed the specimen after 24 hr. wipe our water with
damp cloth & weight each sample W2.

Finally the percentage of water absorbed for each brick was calculated by the following formula.

Water Absorption = [(W2-W1)/W1)] x 100, W2= weight of soaked brick W1=weight of dry brick. The
specimen was tested for water absorption and the specimen had very low water absorption of 1.5%.
5.2 COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH Bricks should have a specified minimum compressive strength so that they
can be used in construction works. The compressive strength determined using compression testing
machine for the specimens and the results have been shown in the table below.

5.3 WEIGHT OF SAMPLE The weight of the 3 dry samples is taken and then the average weight is
calculated.

6. CONCLUSION On the basis of the results obtained, it can be concluded that: I. Plastic bricks can a very
good alternative of traditional earthen bricks. II. Plastic bricks can be used for partition walls and exterior
walls; however they must not be used in load bearing walls. III. Cost of manufacturing per unit plastic
brick is significantly lower than traditional earthen bricks, hence they are cheaper alternative. IV. Plastic
bricks are water resistant, hence can be used in underwater structures. V. Re using plastic will reduce
environmental pollution.

REFERENCE Ⅰ . Dinesh S; Dinesh A; and Kirubhakaran k., “Utilisation of Waste Plastic in Manufacturing
of Bricks and Paver Blocks” International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, Vol.2 (4), pp. 364-368.
Ⅱ . Nitin Goyal ; Manisha., “Constructing structures using eco-bricks”, International Journal of Recent
Trends in Engineering & Research . Vol.2 (4), pp. 159-164. Ⅲ . Maneet P D; Pramod K; Kishor Kumar; and
Shanmukha Shetty., “Utilization of Waste Plastic in Manufacturing of PlasticSoil Bricks” International
Journal of Engineering Research and Technology, Vol.3 (8), pp. 529-536. Ⅳ . Puttaraj M.H; Shanmukha S;
Navaneeth Rai P.G; and Prathima T.B, “Utilization of Wate Plastic in Manufacturing of Plasticsoil Bricks”
International Journal of Technology Enhancement and Emerging Engineering Reshearch Vol. 2(4), pp.
102-107. Ⅴ . Santha Kumar A.R; “Concrete Technology” Oxford University Press. New Delhi. VI.
Daftardar, R. Patel, R. Shah, P. Gandhi and H. Garg, “Use of Waste Plastic as a Construction Material”
IJEAS, vol.4, no.11,2017

VII. Central Pollution Control Board, “An overview of Plastic Waste Management” Delhi, pp. 1-22, 2012.
VIII. Raj, R.Kotian, N.G. Ashwath. “Study on Laterite-Cement bricks” Project report, K.V.G College of
Engineering, Sullia.DK. 2011 -2012. IX. P. M. Hiremath, S. Shetty, N. Rai, “Utilization of Waste Plastic In
Manufacturing of Plastic Soil Bricks” IJTEEE, vol. 2, no. 4, 2014. X. S. Bose, S. Raju, “Utilization of waste
plastic in Bituminous Concrete mixes”, Roads and Pavements, vol. 3 2004. XI. M.M.Reddy .k, Ajitha .B and
Bhavani.R(2012) “Melt- Densified Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Bags Used as Light Weight Aggregate
in Concrete”,IJERA,vol. 2, no.4, pp.1097-1101, 2012 XII. K. Prem Kumar1 , M.Gomathi2 1,2(Assistant
Professor, Civil Engineering Department, Periyar Maniammai University, Production of Construction
Bricks by Partial Replacement of Waste Plastics. XIII. Dinesh.S, Dinesh.A,Kirubakaran.K Department of
civil engineering, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of technology, Coimbatore, IndiaUTILISATION OF WASTE
PLASTIC IN MANUFACTURING OF BRICKS AND PAVER BLOCKS

(PDF) Recycling/reuse of plastic waste as construction material for sustainable development: a review
(researchgate.net)

(PDF) Development of Bricks from waste material: A review paper (researchgate.net)

(1) EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH METHODS | Steven Ross - Academia.edu
(2) (PDF) Utilization of Plastic waste for Making Plastic Bricks (researchgate.net)

(3) quantity of plastic waste

(4) in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
is expanding rapidly. It is
(5) estimated that the rate of usage is
double for every 10 years.
(6) The Plastic usage is large in
consumption and one of the
(7) largest plastic wastes is
polyethylene (PE). The utilization of
(8) earth based clay material resulted
in resource depletion and
(9) environmental degradation. As
amount of clay required for
(10) brick is huge, in this project
these waste plastics are
(11) effectively utilized in order to
reduce the land space required
(12) to dump these wastes. This
creates the prevention from
(13) various harmful diseases.
Polyethylene (PE) bags are cleaned
(14) and added with fine aggregate at
various ratios to obtain
(15) high strength bricks that possess
thermal and sound
(16) insulation properties. This is one
of the best ways to avoid
(17) the accumulation of plastic waste.
It also helps to conserve
(18) energy, reduce the overall cost of
construction and hence in
(19) this project, an attempt is made to
manufacture the plastic
(20) sand bricks by utilizing the waste
plastics.
(21)
(22) 3. Objectives
(23)  To develop an efficient
way and to effectively
(24) utilize the waste plastics.
(25)  To reduce the consumption of
natural resources such as
(26) clay for the manufacturing of
bricks.
(27)  To minimize and reuse
generation of waste pl
(28) quantity of plastic waste
(29) in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
is expanding rapidly. It is
(30) estimated that the rate of usage is
double for every 10 years.
(31) The Plastic usage is large in
consumption and one of the
(32) largest plastic wastes is
polyethylene (PE). The utilization of
(33) earth based clay material resulted
in resource depletion and
(34) environmental degradation. As
amount of clay required for
(35) brick is huge, in this project
these waste plastics are
(36) effectively utilized in order to
reduce the land space required
(37) to dump these wastes. This
creates the prevention from
(38) various harmful diseases.
Polyethylene (PE) bags are cleaned
(39) and added with fine aggregate at
various ratios to obtain
(40) high strength bricks that possess
thermal and sound
(41) insulation properties. This is one
of the best ways to avoid
(42) the accumulation of plastic waste.
It also helps to conserve
(43) energy, reduce the overall cost of
construction and hence in
(44) this project, an attempt is made to
manufacture the plastic
(45) sand bricks by utilizing the waste
plastics.
(46)
(47) 3. Objectives
(48)  To develop an efficient
way and to effectively
(49) utilize the waste plastics.
(50)  To reduce the consumption of
natural resources such as
(51) clay for the manufacturing of
bricks.
(52)  To minimize and reuse
generation of waste pl
(53) quantity of plastic waste
(54) in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
is expanding rapidly. It is
(55) estimated that the rate of usage is
double for every 10 years.
(56) The Plastic usage is large in
consumption and one of the
(57) largest plastic wastes is
polyethylene (PE). The utilization of
(58) earth based clay material resulted
in resource depletion and
(59) environmental degradation. As
amount of clay required for
(60) brick is huge, in this project
these waste plastics are
(61) effectively utilized in order to
reduce the land space required
(62) to dump these wastes. This
creates the prevention from
(63) various harmful diseases.
Polyethylene (PE) bags are cleaned
(64) and added with fine aggregate at
various ratios to obtain
(65) high strength bricks that possess
thermal and sound
(66) insulation properties. This is one
of the best ways to avoid
(67) the accumulation of plastic waste.
It also helps to conserve
(68) energy, reduce the overall cost of
construction and hence in
(69) this project, an attempt is made to
manufacture the plastic
(70) sand bricks by utilizing the waste
plastics.
(71)
(72) 3. Objectives
(73)  To develop an efficient
way and to effectively
(74) utilize the waste plastics.
(75)  To reduce the consumption of
natural resources such as
(76) clay for the manufacturing of
bricks.
(77)  To minimize and reuse
generation of waste pl
(78) pollution to the environment. The
quantity of plastic waste
(79) in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
is expanding rapidly. It is
(80) estimated that the rate of usage is
double for every 10 years.
(81) The Plastic usage is large in
consumption and one of the
(82) largest plastic wastes is
polyethylene (PE). The utilization of
(83) earth based clay material resulted
in resource depletion and
(84) environmental degradation. As
amount of clay required for
(85) brick is huge, in this project
these waste plastics are
(86) effectively utilized in order to
reduce the land space required
(87) to dump these wastes. This
creates the prevention from
(88) various harmful diseases.
Polyethylene (PE) bags are cleaned
(89) and added with fine aggregate at
various ratios to obtain
(90) high strength bricks that possess
thermal and sound
(91) insulation properties. This is one
of the best ways to avoid
(92) the accumulation of plastic waste.
It also helps to conserve
(93) energy, reduce the overall cost of
construction and hence in
(94) this project, an attempt is made to
manufact
sssssssssss s

Collecting

Batching

SMelting/Mixing

Moulding

Drying

Testing of Specimen

Plastic is a non-bio-degradable substance which takes thousands of years to decompose that creates
land as well as wate
pollution to the environment. The quantity of plastic waste in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is expanding
rapidly. It is estimated that the rate of usage is double for every 10 years. The Plastic usage is large in
consumption and one of the largest plastic wastes is polyethylene (PE). The utilization of earth based clay
material resulted in resource depletion and environmental degradation. As amount of clay required for
brick is huge, in this project these waste plastics are effectively utilized in order to reduce the land space
required to dump these wastes. This creates the prevention from various harmful diseases. Polyethylene
(PE) bags are cleaned and added with fine aggregate at various ratios to obtain high strength bricks that
possess thermal and sound insulation properties. This is one of the best ways to avoid the accumulation
of plastic waste. It also helps to conserve energy, reduce the overall cost of construction and hence in
this project, an attempt is made to manufacture the plastic sand bricks by utilizing the waste plastics.

Objectives To develop an efficient way and to effectively utilize the waste plastics. To reduce the
consumption of natural resources such as clay for the manufacturing of bricks. To minimize and reuse
generation of waste plastic on the land and water to avoid land and water degradation and consequent
pollution hazard. To produce cost-effective materials which a common person can afford easily. To
reduce the plastic in waste streams saving nonrenewable resources. 4. Methodology First, we need to
collect the plastic waste and separate it from other wastes. Second, we should dry the plastic waste if it
is wet and has a content of moisture. We have to use dry plastic waste. Then, we crush the plastic waste
in small particles. the small particles crush into fine size particles. Fine particles of plastic waste also
heated on a furnace (Bhatti) till it is in a liquid form. we add the stone dust into melt plastic. We can mix
it properly and make a mix. We poured the mix into moulds. Keep it the mould for dry.

4.1 USING DIFFERENT MATERIALS FOR PLASTIC BRICKPolythene High density polymer (nylon66) Plastic
bottles (PET) Plastic wastes Plastic composite with other material River sand(4.75mm) Red soil Cement
4.2 DIFFERENT COMPOSITION WITH PLASTICTrial 1 - Some small samples – Comp.1.Plastic Bottles Crush
(50gm) + Red Soil (50gm) Comp.2.Plastic Bottles Crush (50gm) + River Sand (50gm) Comp.3.Plastic
Bottles Crush (50g) + Stone Crush (50gm) Trial 2- Standard Size Bricks – Comp.1 Plastic wastes crush
(0.750kg) + River Sand (2.kg) Comp.2 Plastic Wastes crush (0.750kg) + Red soil(2.kg)

Kate teaches math, statistics, and computer science in bootcamps and a community college.
She has one master's degree in Decision Science and a second in Finance and Accounting.

Cite this lesson

In this lesson, we will examine a sample case and design an experiment for it. We will define the
question, variables, and controls, and explore randomization, bias, and data analysis. The
conclusions that can be made from the data will be discussed.
Kate teaches math, statistics, and computer science in bootcamps and a community college.
She has one master's degree in Decision Science and a second in Finance and Accounting.
Statisticians gather information through observational studies and experiments. Observational
studies observe and measure specific characteristics without modifying the subjects under study.
In contrast, a statistical experiment applies a treatment to the subjects to see if a causal
relationship exists. (Treatments can also be called factors, but this can be confusing because
latent variables in factor analysis are also called factors.) Statistical experiments are designed to
compare the outcomes of applying one or more treatments to experimental units, then
comparing the results to a control group that does not receive a treatment.
Designing a statistical experiment starts with identifying the question(s) you want to answer. By
carefully planning all the details of the experiment in advance, you decrease the probability of
errors and increase the likelihood that the experiment will produce good data that leads to sound
conclusions after analysis.

Sample Case
A farmer wants to test a new type of fertilizer to see if it improves her soybean crop yield. She
will plant two sections of a field (experimental units). The farmer will apply fertilizer to one
(treatment) and leave the other to grow under normal conditions (control). After harvest, she will
compare the results (statistical analysis) to see which section produced more soybeans. Finally,
she will reach a conclusion based on the evidence collected. However, she will bear in mind
any assumptions she made that may require additional research.

Defining the Question

The purpose of an experiment is to see if applying a treatment results in any observable
differences in the experimental units. For a difference to matter, it needs to be measurable. For
this sample case, we will use the question: Does applying the new fertilizer result in more
soybeans per square meter than growing soybeans without the fertilizer?

Defining the Variables

The independent variable is the one that you plan to change. In this sample case, the
independent variable is the treatment with the new fertilizer. The dependent variable is
whatever you plan to measure after the treatment. In this case, the dependent variable is the
amount of soybeans per square meter. Most real-life studies also have extraneous variables that
impact the results of the experiment. Extraneous variables in an agricultural study may include
the amount of rain, sunshine, or insect populations.
There are often variables that you don't even know about. A confounding variable is an
extraneous variable that varies across the independent variable. In this example, some of the soil
may have slightly different chemistry that we didn't test for.
Researchers can design statistical experiments to study several treatments and variables. For
now, we are going to keep the sample case simple so that you can master the basics.

Setting the Controls

In a statistical experiment, you want to control extraneous variables by holding them constant. In
this experiment, we can control several of the extraneous variables by placing the test areas close
to each other. We want both areas to receive the same amount of sunshine, rain, and attention
from local insects.

Randomization
We can also control extraneous variables through randomization. In randomization, we try to
control the impact of extraneous variables by randomly assigning treatments to the elements of
an experiment. Random assignment is not very effective in experiments with only a few
experimental units, so it won't help in this sample case. If we expanded the experiment to
hundreds of land plots, then we could randomize which plots receive treatment to decrease the
impact of extraneous variables.

Controlling Bias in Statistical Experiments

Bias includes anything that influences experimental results in favor of one outcome or another.
Bias can slip into an experiment at any stage, so you must plan to prevent bias as much as
possible. Most experiments will have an element of bias present. Even well-received published
studies have a degree of bias, but these studies are designed to minimize bias and identify any
bias that does occur.
The True Experimental Research Design - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com