Investigation of Recycled Plastic Waste into Bricks for the Construction of Housing Projects in Ghana

Abstract

Alternative materials are now being used for the construction of various projects in Ghana due to the expansion of infrastructure in the country. The quantity of materials needed to build infrastructure presents a significant opportunity to reuse some of the waste products. It has become possible to investigate the recycling of plastic waste into the construction of bricks due to the substantial discrepancy between the supply and demand of traditional building materials. In this study, an effort was made to recycle a sizable amount of HDPE waste gathered from markets, shopping centers, landfills, and supermarkets for utilization of bricks for housing projects. To determine the efficacy and durability of the bricks made from recycled plastic waste for various uses in civil engineering projects, several experimental tests including the compressive strength test, split tensile test, and water absorption tests were conducted. The mix ratios for the plastic bricks for compressive and tensile strength are 1:3, 1:4, and 1:5.5, respectively, while their water absorption mix ratios are 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4. The experimental findings demonstrated that the bricks produced had good compressive strength, tensile strength and low water absorption rates. Additionally, it was observed that the manufactured bricks are lightweight, have a smooth surface and fine edges, and can be an excellent substitute for clay and conventional concrete blocks, which have been used for decades to build housing projects in the country.