Transforming Waste into Construction: Innovations in Plastic-Soil Brick Production

Abstract

This study aims to develop an eco-friendly alternative building material by incorporating waste plastic and quarry dust into the production of plastic-soil bricks. Plastic waste, particularly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), is utilized alongside laterite quarry waste and M-sand, supplemented with bitumen and gypsum. Experimental results demonstrate that plastic bricks exhibit superior compressive strength and lower water absorption compared to conventional clay bricks. For instance, plastic bricks with 70% plastic content by weight of soil and 2% bitumen content achieve a compressive strength of 8.09 N/mm2 , surpassing red burnt bricks (7.21 N/mm2 ), with water absorption reduced to 0.9536% from 12.58%. Moreover, they possess comparable fire resistance to clay bricks. This innovative approach addresses the pressing issues of plastic waste management and the depletion of traditional building materials. Further research could focus on optimizing plastic content, exploring alternative binders, and conducting long-term durability studies to advance the adoption of plastic bricks in mainstream construction practices.