Senior High School Department

Impact of Powdered Plastic

to the Durability of

Hollow Blocks

A Senior High School Thesis Presented to the Faculty at

Pamantasan ng Cabuyao – Senior High School

Department

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Strand

By:

Cabigas, Precious Alona H.

Dizon, Alejah F.

Hamo, Justin Joy B.

Montuya, James A.

Zulieta, Jodelle M.

NOVEMBER 2023
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CHAPTER 1

Conceptual Framework

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Powdered Plastics Durability of Hollow Blocks

Figure 1. Conceptual Paradigm

Figure 1 presents the conceptual paradigm of the study. It consists of two

variables, powdered plastics (IV) and durability of hollow blocks (DV).

In figure 1, it depicts powdered plastics as independent variables, each

representing a different proportion of powdered plastics used in the manufacture of

hollow blocks. This IV plays an important role in our study, as we seek to understand

its impact on the dependent variable, the durability of the hollow blocks, which

reflects their ability to withstand a range of stressors. The figure visualizes the

relationship between these variables, paving the way for a structured examination of

the effects of powdered plastics on the blocks’ sustainability and durability.

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Statement of the Problem

The study sought to determine and provide evidence-based insights regarding

the impact of using powdered plastic waste in producing hollow blocks, among

Pamantasan ng Cabuyao grade 12 STEM students. By conducting this research, we

aim to help the construction industry become more ecologically responsible and

sustainable.

Moreover, researchers sought to answer the following questions:

1. Does concrete powdered plastic have the resilience and durability required for

structural applications?

2. Is the use of powdered plastic in concrete a cost-effective and labor efficient

construction method?

3. What mechanisms enable powdered plastic to enhance the durability of hollow

blocks?

4. What are the potential benefits and impacts of integrating powdered plastics into

the construction industry, based on collected data?

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Hypothesis

Assessing the statement of the problem, the formulated null hypotheses are

given below:

1. There is no significant difference between the durability of powdered plastics and

Hollow Blocks.

2. There is no significant difference in the longevity of materials used in powdered

plastics compared to materials used in Hollow Blocks.

3. There is no significant difference between the perceptions of workers and buyers

regarding the use of powdered plastics to the Hollow Blocks

Scope and Delimitations

This research will take place at the University of Cabuyao, where a dedicated

testing site or laboratory will be established on the campus to carry out experiments

and collect data specifically related to the durability of certain blocks. The controlled

environment of the university provides an ideal setting for this research. Moreover,

the research will actively engage the local community by collaborating with Senior

High School students from the STEM strand at the University of Cabuyao in Cabuyao,

Laguna.

The primary focus of this study is Grade 12 students who are pursuing the

STEM strand at University of Cabuyao. The study will involve a total of 30

respondents during the school year 2023-2024, all of whom are Grade 12 STEM

students at University of Cabuyao.

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Significance of the Study

This study aims to find a better alternative to traditional hollow blocks, its

expected outcome will benefit everyone who uses, produces, and handles hollow

blocks if they switch to eco-bricks. The following are the beneficiaries of this study:

Hollow Block Manufacturers: In having a more variety of products to produce,

more materials to work from and profit with, and a healthier alternative to working

against carbon dust and smoke,

Carpenters: more sturdy, stable, and eco-friendly building blocks that are easier

and safer to work with. It is also more flexible to work with and promotes creativity

by involving plastic in its components.

Home Owners: Eco-brick applied to homes and living spaces can be a cleaner and

pollution-less alternative wall that does last longer than normal hollow blocks,

making it very low maintenance and making other inhabitants, such as insects, very

unlikely.

Public places: Same effects in households. It is more people-friendly in terms of

safety since it doesn't disintegrate as fast as a normal block. It will reduce the most

frequent accidents and make public places that are frequently visited by people last

and stay intact for a much longer time. Can also promote cleanliness in most visited

places since the plastic waste that is supposed to be trashed will be recyclable and

will be used to build the very places we frequently use.

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Community: With the cooperation of the very community that we are in, eco-bricks

will be made possible and be applied to structures that the community inhabits, as

well as lessening the waste that is poured into landfills, prolonging their lives, and

preventing the formation of pollution in the community. Resulting in more eco-

friendly, more durable, and safer structures that last longer.

Current and Future Studies: Being viewed as an alternative construction material,

this can contribute to ongoing and future research by determining possible

construction alternatives in certain parts of the world as well as an additional option

on reducing and recycling plastic waste that helps the entire population lessen

pollution and contribute to a much healthier environment.

Definition of Terms

Carbon dust - an artistic technique in which carbon dust is applied to a surface via

dry brushes

Cleanliness - the quality or state of being clean

Durable - able to exist for a long time without significant deterioration in quality or

value

Eco-bricks - building block made entirely from unrecyclable plastic

Eco-friendly - not environmentally harmful

Environment - the circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded

Experiment - to carry out experiments: try out a new procedure, idea, or activity

Hollow blocks - a block made of concrete that has hollow spaces between its walls
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Inhabitants - one that occupies a particular place regularly, routinely, or for a

period of time

Laboratory - a place equipped for experimental study in a science or for testing and

analysis

Paradigm - A typical example or pattern of something; a model

Plastic waste - the accumulation of plastic objects (e.g.: plastic bottles and much

more) in the Earth's environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat, and

humans

Pollution - the action of making an environment unsuitable or unsafe for use by

introducing man-made waste

Powdered plastic - a form of plastic raw material used in operations where a fine

particle size is critical for processing

Recyclable - to pass again through a series of changes or treatments: to process

(something, such as liquid body waste, glass, or cans) in order to regain material for

human use

Sustainable - capable of being sustained

Thermal insulation - the many ways we attempt to inhibit the transfer of heat from

one object to another

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References

Cabalera, N. (2021). What Is Scope and Delimitation in Research? Retrieved from:

Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/496077395/What-Is-Scope-and-

Delimitation-in-Research

Chidiac, S. E., & Mihaljevic, S. N. (2011). Performance of dry cast concrete blocks

containing waste glass powder or polyethylene aggregates. Cement and concrete

composites, 33(8), 855-863.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0958946511000850

Najaf, E., & Abbasi, H. (2022). Using recycled concrete powder, waste glass powder,

and plastic powder to improve the mechanical properties of compacted concrete:

cement elimination approach. Advances in Civil Engineering, 2022.

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ace/2022/9481466/
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Rose Q. (2019, December 3). The use of eco-bricks as an alternative building block

for Philippine budget houses. Academia.edu - Share research.

https://www.academia.edu/41185724/THE_USE_OF_ECO_BRICKS_AS_AN_ALTERNA

TIVE_BUILDING_BLOCK_FOR_PHILIPPINE_BUDGET_HOUSES

Swaen, B. (2022, November 15). What is a conceptual framework? | Tips &

examples. Scribbr.

https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/conceptual-framework/

Yadav, R. (2023, April 18). The advantages and disadvantages of using hollow block

bricks. Medium. https://medium.com/@rahul100111/the-advantages-and-

disadvantages-of-using-hollow-block-bricks-81aaa110d26b