Experimental Study on the Use of Plastic Stabilized Hydra form Blocks as an Alternative Walling Material
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2023-10-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Abab University
Abstract
Cement is a common stabilizer used in the production of hydra form blocks (HFBs), but limited studies has been done to use plastic as a replacement for cement. This study is intended to investigate the technical and cost of plastic stabilized hydra form blocks to use as an alternative wall-making material. The results of laboratory tests on the soil utilized for the research demonstrated the soil's appropriateness for block manufacturing by providing thorough information on the soil's plasticity, grading, and chemical composition. The investigation has revealed that blocks produced at varying total stabilizer contents from 50% in increments up to 80% at constant compressive pressure, the blocks stabilized with 70% plastic have an increased 28th-day compressive strength than that of the blocks stabilized with cement only. The water absorption of the blocks stabilized with plastic is lower than that of the blocks stabilized with cement. An increment of compaction pressure with the same stabilizer content has shown an increased compressive strength. Two types of plastic material were used in this research, Polyethylene (PE) and the other type is Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). The cost of hydra-form blocks stabilized with cement is higher than the plastic stabilized hydra-form blocks since the current price of cement is higher than that of plastic material. The cost comparison with the cement-stabilized hydra form has revealed that PHFBs are preferred because it is an economical walling material and permits the use of economical building techniques. This experimental study on PHFBs prepared using plastic as a total replacement to cement has demonstrated the effectiveness of plastic material in enhancing the 7th, 14th , and 28th-day compressive strength than using cement alone. The research findings indicate the need to review the grading of the number and quality of stabilizers to produce high-quality building blocks. It is also advised that hydraulic machinery be used to strengthen the material and reduce air voids by compaction pressure. The experimental research result concludes that it is possible to produce plastic stabilized hydra form blocks using Kara soil to fulfill the compressive strength, which uses no cement, contributes sustainable activity by recycling plastic material, and is adaptable to the environment as walling
material for low-cost housing.
Key Words: Hydra form blocks, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyethylene (PE), Soil
stabilization, Material property.