Investigation of the Compressive Strength of Sand-Filled Polyethylene Terephthalate Bottles as a Material for Wall Construction
Maro Clement Aterezi *
Department of Civil Engineering, The Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State, Nigeria and Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Bamidele Ibukunolu Olugbemi Dahunsi
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Michael Attah Onugba
Department of Civil Engineering, The Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The disposal of plastic wastes in the environment has negatively impacted the environment as plastics are non-biodegradable and contain chemicals that are harmful to humans, animals, plants, and the environment at large. The increased demand for infrastructure across the globe has also resulted in a rapid depletion of natural resources used for the production of construction materials. The need therefore arises for research to proffer solutions that would lead to the better management of plastic wastes, and provide sustainable construction materials. This study evaluated the compressive strength of sand-filled PET bottles (with varying moisture content, 0-15%) and clay bricks incorporating sand-filled PET bottles for wall construction. Cement was used to stabilize the clay at 0%, 10%, and 15% by weight. The compressive strength of the bricks produced was compared with that of control bricks (without sand-filled PET bottles). The results obtained reveal that the compressive strengths of the PET bricks were less than those of the control bricks. An optimum of 2% moisture content of sand is recommended for filling the PET bottles while 15% stabilization of clay with cement is recommended for the production of sand-filled PET bricks. The sand-filled PET bricks can be used for non-load-bearing wall construction as their compressive strengths fall below the minimum requirements of the Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute and the Standards Organization of Nigeria for load-bearing walls.
Keywords: Polyethylene terephthalate, waste management, infrastructure, compressive strength