Design and Develop of Brick-Style Concrete with Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) as a Supplementary Component for Improving

Compressive Strength and Water Absorption of a Pathway in Central Colleges of the Philippines

Design and Develop of Brick-Style Concrete with Recycled

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) as a Supplementary
Component for Improving Compressive Strength and Water
Absorption of a Pathway in Central Colleges of the
Philippines
Gian Vher R. Adlawan, Reinalyn B. Carolino, Andrew Rey D. Lardizabal, Marc Joshua U. Nadulpit
Manolo Arnel Cabañero, Mauricio H. Camayra Jr., Renato Gatbonton
College of Engineering, Central Colleges of the Philippines,
52 Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City, 1113, Philippines
ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT
AY 2023–2024 | Semester 2 Partial replacements of 0%, 1%, 3%, 5%, 7% and 9% of Polyethylene
CCP Engineering Thesis
Article Critique Terephthalate (PET) on fine aggregates, curing period of 28 days and utilization of
Date Submitted: May 13, 2024 an interlocking geometric design called the behaton shape was used in this study in
order to develop a brick-style concrete with recycled PET to improve the
Keywords
Concrete Bricks, Compressive compressive strength and water absorption of a pathway. Results gathered from the
Strength, PET (Polyethylene laboratory testing of the different percentages for compressive strength and water
Terephthalate), Water Absorption, absorption were evaluated and investigated. Findings shows that the most optimum
Waste Reduction.
ratio is the 3% PET, having the compressive strength of 25.17 MPa and 12.03%
water absorption rate. Also, considering the cost benefit analysis that the
researchers made, when the brick-style concrete with 3% of PET is used, 24.90%
would be saved compared when the conventional concrete bricks was used.

I. INTRODUCTION
One of the main environmental problems experienced in this generation is plastic pollution and its improper waste
disposal. Single-use plastic (SUP) sachets, usually made out of PET, contribute massively to this crisis, in the
Philippines at least, amounting to roughly fifty percent of the country’s mismanaged plastic waste, approximately 59.8
billion per year is used [1]. Plastic takes about 20 to 500 years to decompose and due to its continuous growth in
production, plastic isn’t going anywhere and will remain in landfills and oceans for a long time. To promote sustainable
construction practices, it is imperative to conduct extensive research on PET concrete bricks as it holds great potential
for reducing plastic waste.
This research aims to design and develop a brick-style concrete with recycled PET focused on improving its
compressive strength and water absorption. To attain this, the researchers will first determine all the materials and data
needed to make the brick-style concrete with recycled PET from SUP sachet. Along with the collected and cleaned SUP
sachets, the researchers will be preparing the materials required in fabricating prototypes using 0%, 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%
and 9% PET-to-fine aggregates ratio and test its compressive strength and identify its water absorption rate. Based from
the tests conducted, the researchers will identify the PET ratio that has the highest compressive strength and lowest
water absorption. After that, the researchers will be utilizing the optimum ratio along with the designed geometric
dimension, behaton shape, in constructing a pathway in Central Colleges of the Philippines (CCP). Lastly, the
researchers will make a cost benefit analysis to compare the brick-style concrete to conventional concrete bricks.

ADLAWAN-CAROLINO-LARDIZABAL-NADULPIT
 Design and Develop of Brick-Style Concrete with Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) as a Supplementary Component for Improving
Compressive Strength and Water Absorption of a Pathway in Central Colleges of the Philippines

II. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. Concrete bricks.
The usage of bricks and concrete in construction, engineering projects, and landscape design was widespread. The
composition of the raw materials, compressive strength, initial water absorption, firing shrinkage, and a host of other
factors all affect the quality of brick. [2]. Brick samples containing 5% PET outperform all other samples, including the
control sample, in both the compressive and flexural strength tests. Compared to the control, it exhibited a decreased
density and water absorption. [3]. 60 mm thickness shall be implemented for concrete bricks used for pedestrian
pathway [4].

2.2. Compressive strength.

Concrete's compressive and flexural strengths are two crucial factors that should be considered, especially during the
designing phase of structures and infrastructure [5]. According to the ASTM C902, the minimum mean compressive
strength of a paving brick is 20.7 MPa [6]. Additionally, based from DPWH Standards, interlocking concrete bricks
should at least have a minimum compressive strength of 24 MPa [4].

2.3. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate).

PET, a type of thermoplastic, is known as one of the most produced plastic materials globally. It is generally used as a
packaging of food, beverage, and daily necessities for the reason that it is shatterproof, recyclable and non-reactive to
food or water, but it is recommended to only use it once [7]. Considering that the construction industry is responsible for
the largest consumption of natural resources, studies imply that the industry has the highest potential to utilize PET
wastes as a raw material in manufacturing various products such as eco-bricks [8]. In the summary of previous works
incorporating PET in interlocking concrete blocks shows improved compressive strength and reduced water absorption
due to the lessened pore spaces caused by the PET fibers binding the concrete [9].

2.4. Water absorption.

Concrete durability is predicted using water absorption because water makes it easier for hostile agents to penetrate
the material. Water in concrete can also result in cracking because of thermal expansion and contraction brought on by
temperature changes [10]. The absorption test is carried out to determine the porosity of the bricks in relation to water
absorption. It is preferred that the weight of a brick soaked in water should not be 20% greater than the weight of the dry
brick [11].

2.5. Waste reduction.

The remarkable qualities of PET, such as thermal resistance, lightweight, high transparency, superb impact, and
comparatively low cost, are linked to its rising application. Therefore, switching to new PET mix and composites is an
effective way to recycle PET and minimize plastic waste. This should be collected due to the increased volume of PET
solid waste, which is harmful to human life and exacerbates environmental difficulties [12]. With the intent to resolve
this issue, the United Nations includes ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns as Goal 12 in their 17
Sustainable Development Goals.

ADLAWAN-CAROLINO-LARDIZABAL-NADULPIT
 Design and Develop of Brick-Style Concrete with Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) as a Supplementary Component for Improving
Compressive Strength and Water Absorption of a Pathway in Central Colleges of the Philippines

III. METHODOLOGY

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework

This study has been achieved through the accomplishment of each step in this conceptual framework.
Gathering of data and materials needed through review of related literature is the initial step for this study. Followed
by the collection of the materials which are Ordinary Portland Cement, Bistay sand as the fine aggregate, SUP sachet that
was treated and shredded into 4 mm by 0.075 mm, and the 200 mm by 165 mm by 60 mm behaton brick mold. The
prototype sample containing 0%, 1%, 3%, 5%, 7% and 9% of PET, which partially replaced the fine aggregate in the
concrete mixture, and shaped as behaton, was cured for 28 days. Afterwards, it underwent compressive strength test and
water absorption test. The results gathered from the laboratory testing was then assessed and evaluated using SPSS in order
to decide on the optimum PET ratio. The researchers then laid out a pathway in CCP utilizing the optimum PET ratio and
the behaton shape. Additionally, the researchers made a cost benefit analysis comparing the brick-style concrete with
recycled PET to the conventional concrete bricks. Lastly, this research study was presented through a public forum in CCP
located at Barangay Doña Imelda, Quezon City.

ADLAWAN-CAROLINO-LARDIZABAL-NADULPIT
 Design and Develop of Brick-Style Concrete with Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) as a Supplementary Component for Improving
Compressive Strength and Water Absorption of a Pathway in Central Colleges of the Philippines

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1. Compressive strength.

Table 4.1 Compressive strength of each brick at 28 days curing

PET (%) Bricks No. Ultimate Strength (MPa)

0 1 25.72

2 34.83

3 30.55

1 1 27.78

2 26.33

3 26.75

3 1 24.53

2 25.43

3 25.51

5 1 9.98

2 13.59

3 9.36

7 1 9.05

2 9.45

3 9.30

9 1 8.11

2 6.96

3 6.83

The table shows the result of the compressive strength of each prototype with different PET percentage.

Table 4.2 Mean value for each PET percentage for compressive strength

0% 1% 3% 5% 7% 9%

N Valid 3 3 3 3 3 3

Missing 0 0 0 0 0 0

ADLAWAN-CAROLINO-LARDIZABAL-NADULPIT
 Design and Develop of Brick-Style Concrete with Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) as a Supplementary Component for Improving
Compressive Strength and Water Absorption of a Pathway in Central Colleges of the Philippines

Mean 30.36 26.95 25.15 10.97 9.26 7.30

Standard Deviation 4.55 0.74 0.54 2.28 0.20 0.70

Variance 20.77 0.55 0.29 5.21 0.04 0.49

The researchers used SPSS to calculate the mean of each PET percentage for the compressive strength. The table shows
the mean values of every percentage. This research study used the ASTM C902 standard for the minimum compressive
strength which is 20.7 MPa. The control which is the 0%, along with 1% and 3% PET mixture passed the said standard.

4.2 Water absorption.

Table 4.3 Water absorption rate of each brick at 28 days curing

Percentage of
Bricks No. W1 (kg) W2 (kg) Water Absorption %
PET
1 2.58 2.98 15.47

2 2.61 2.99 14.56

0%
3 2.48 2.94 18.55

1 2.35 2.65 12.77

2 2.48 2.81 13.08

1%
3 2.51 2.87 14.12

1 2.51 2.81 11.73

2 2.56 2.87 12.11

3%
3 2.57 2.88 12.26

1 2.25 2.59 15.33

2 2.24 2.56 14.51

5%
3 2.27 2.58 13.63

1 2.33 2.59 11.13

2 2.47 2.71 9.70

7%
3 2.50 2.73 9.40

ADLAWAN-CAROLINO-LARDIZABAL-NADULPIT
 Design and Develop of Brick-Style Concrete with Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) as a Supplementary Component for Improving
Compressive Strength and Water Absorption of a Pathway in Central Colleges of the Philippines

1 2.17 2.44 12.18

2 2.310 2.535 9.74

9%
3 2.265 2.520 11.26

Using the details gathered from the result of water absorption, the researchers labeled W1 as the initial weight of

the bricks, after submerging the brick within 24 hours, the researchers labeled W2 as the final weight of the bricks. The

researchers used the formula [(W2-W1)/W1] (100) to get the percentage of water absorbed by the brick.

Table 4.4 Mean value for each PET percentage for water absorption

0% 1% 3% 5% 7% 9%

N Valid 3 3 3 3 3 3

Missing 0 0 0 0 0 0

Mean 16.19 13.32 12.03 14.49 10.07 11.06

Std. Deviation 2.09 0.70 0.27 0.85 0.92 1.23

Variance 4.37 0.50 0.07 0.72 0.85 1.51

The researchers used SPSS to calculate the mean of each PET percentage for the water absorption. The table shows the
mean values of every percentage. This research study used the ASTM C642 standard for the maximum water absorption
which is 20% of its original weight. All of the percentages obtained a mean value lower than 20 which means that it passed
the said standard.

V. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

This study is fabricating brick-style concrete with the mixture of cement and sand only as what the conventional
concrete is being mixed with. Other chemicals that are beneficial to change or increase the mechanical and physical
behavior of the prototype brick-style concrete is not included in this study. The researchers only did a manual mixing of
cement, sand, and PET with additional water to mix it well before transferring the mixture into Behaton molder. The
researchers also designed different unique ratios to easily determine the best percentage to be used and the findings of
this study answered this concern. In this study, a total of 36 samples will only be subjected to two different testing only,
compressive testing that is being conducted in FDC testing materials, and water absorption test using manual experiment
with the use of ASTM C642 guide. Based on the findings of this study in terms of compressive strength, the prototype
containing 1% and 3% of PET that partially replaced the fine aggregate in the mixture passed the minimum standard
obtaining an average of 26.95 MPa and 25.15 MPa respectively. Furthermore, all of the prototypes containing different
PET ratios passed the maximum water absorption rate. However, only 1% and 3% is considered since those are the only
PET ratios that met the minimum standard in compressive strength. In terms of cost-efficiency, the researchers
considered the brick-style concrete containing 1% and 3% of PET in comparison to the conventional concrete bricks.
Considering the aforementioned conditions, the optimum PET ratio is the 3% mixture, achieving an average of 25.15
ADLAWAN-CAROLINO-LARDIZABAL-NADULPIT
 Design and Develop of Brick-Style Concrete with Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) as a Supplementary Component for Improving
Compressive Strength and Water Absorption of a Pathway in Central Colleges of the Philippines

MPa in compressive strength, 12.03% water absorption rate and is the most cost-efficient saving up to 24.90% of the
total cost.
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