CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of The Study

Composite beams are made of a combination of materials with various coefficients of elasticity

combined together. A few examples are sandwich beams, which are composed of high-strength

material faces divided by a relatively thick layer of low-strength material, such plastic foam, and

multilayer beams, which are created by connecting together numerous sheets. Another type of

beam is reinforced concrete. They consist of many beams, which may be non-structural (flooring

and paint) or structural (concrete or steel). Compared to conventional beams, these beams are

primarily utilized to disperse weight and pressure across a wider region.

A composite beam is a structural element that combines lighter materials, like plastic, with

denser materials, like concrete, to increase the structure's strength-to-weight ratio. The structural

designer can mix a concrete floor with a plastic underbelly to form a composite beam. It permits

the floor to be relatively light, and the concrete gives the building a greater density, which

strengthens the structure.

In the past few decades, there has been a growing demand for recycling of plastics in order to

meet up with demand of the increasing world population and also mitigate the effects of

pollution caused by inefficient disposal of plastic waste. Lamba, Kaur and Sorout (2022)

emphasized that scientists and researchers are searching for creative and sustainable ways to

reuse or recycle plastic garbage in order to lessen its detrimental effects on the environment, as a

result of the exponential increase in plastic production and the ensuing spike in plastic waste.
Among the industries where waste plastic is showing promise are construction material,

household items, clothes, fabric, and fuel conversion.

Research in the maritime industry has studied the use of recycled polymer composites that are

environmentally friendly in the building of boats. Two recyclable materials made from plastic

solid wastes, expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), have been used

as reinforcement elements in composite boat construction. These materials take the place of

fiberglass, which is difficult to recycle and has disposal issues.

In the building industry, structural plastic lumber is used; it is often made of recycled

polyethylene reinforced with chopped fiberglass. This material is a great alternative to

conventional wood, metal, and concrete because it requires less maintenance and is easy to

install. It also has the advantages of being environmentally friendly, waste-free, and sustainable.

big-dimension cross sections are frequently used in the construction of composite beams in

buildings with big column spacing and significant loads. High strength engineering materials

function well in this situation. To lower floor system heights and create a more cost-effective

design, composite beams made of high-strength steel and concrete are needed. Yuan et al (2008).

1.1.1 Advantages of Composite Beams

Relative to conventional concrete beams, composite beams can weigh a lot lighter. In

addition, compared to conventional concrete beams, composite beams can be

significantly more efficient because they don't need anchors or concrete bases. The fact
that composite beams are far less expensive than conventional concrete beams adds even

more value to them and makes them a desirable choice for both new construction and

renovation.

Composite beams are frequently made of concrete, steel, fiberglass, and wood.

Composite beams can be made of steel, but they can also be made of concrete, fiberglass,

wood, or other materials. The quantity of foundation work needed for composite steel

beams or steel concrete composite beams is less than that for concrete or steel beams.

Generally speaking, a composite beam is 10% lighter and 20% stronger than a regular

timber beam. Compared to a standard timber beam, it is also far less destructive to the

natural landscape and far easier to build.

i. Improved Flexibility: Composite beams are applicable in a range of settings,

including locations with heavy traffic.

ii. Greater Longevity: Compared to conventional timber beams, composite beams

are far more resistant to termite harm. This is as a result of the resin being mixed

with the wood to create the beam. A substance that is not based on wood and is

far more resistant to termite infestation is resin.

iii. Less Damage to the Natural Environment: When compared to typical timber

beams, composite beams cause very little damage. They are typically utilized in

dimly lit or isolated areas.

iv. Accessible in a Variety of Styles: There are numerous configurations that can

make use of composite supports.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Globally, there are serious problems with the widespread problem of marine plastic pollution in

terms of the environment, economy, and health. Every year, millions of tons of plastic garbage

end up in the ocean, having devastating effects on marine biodiversity and ecosystems. The

enormous volumes of plastic garbage have outgrown conventional disposal and recycling

techniques, calling for creative and long-lasting solutions.

Concurrently, there is growing pressure on the construction sector to use sustainable methods

and materials in order to lessen its environmental impact. Development in this field is possible

thanks to composite materials, which blend two or more different elements to create increased

features. But at the moment, the majority of composite materials are made of virgin or non-

recycled resources, which ignores the urgent problem of waste reduction.

By studying the possibility of using recycled marine plastic in the production of composite

beams for construction purposes, this study aims to address these interconnected issues. Through

a review of the mechanical characteristics, longevity, and ecological effects of composite beams

crafted from recycled marine plastic, this research aims to offer a twofold remedy: reducing

marine pollution and improving environmentally friendly building methods. The main issue that

needs to be solved is whether or not recycled marine plastic can be used safely and successfully

to produce composite beams, and if so, what are the best techniques and compositions to use in

order to produce high-performance materials that conform to industry requirements.

1.3 Aim of The Study

The aim of this research it to investigate the application of recycled marine plastic in the

production of composite beams.

1.4 Objectives of The Study

To achieve this aim, the following objectives are considered:

i. Assess the mechanical properties of composite beams made from recycled marine

plastic.

ii. Determine the durability and longevity of recycled marine plastic composite beams.

iii. Develop and optimize fabrication techniques for composite beams using recycled

marine plastic.

iv. Evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of using recycled marine plastic in

construction.

1.5 Scope of The Study

The creation and testing of composite beams from obtained marine plastic will be the main goals

of this project. The process will begin with the selection and preparation of proper marine plastic

trash. Next, fabrication techniques will be developed and optimized in order to produce the

composite beams. A detailed evaluation will be conducted of the mechanical qualities,

encompassing tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact resistance. The study will also

evaluate the beams' durability under a variety of environmental circumstances. To measure the

environmental benefits a life cycle assessment and environmental impact analysis will be carried

out. We'll do a cost-benefit analysis to see if using these materials is practical. Lastly, the

analysis will confirm that the composite beams abide by pertinent industry norms and laws. The

study will only include lab-scale tests that yield basic information for future studies and industry

applications.
1.6 Limitations of The Study