Overview of Performance of Polysand Bricks in Construction Industry

Abstract

The growing plastic waste problem, due to plastic’s non-biodegradable nature, causes severe environmental pollution. Meanwhile, the construction industry heavily consumes natural resources and contributes to environmental degradation. Combining plastic waste into construction materials—specifically plastic bricks—offers a dual solution by reducing plastic pollution and conserving resources. Plastic bricks are made by mixing shredded plastic with sand, laterite soil, fly ash, or rubber powder and molding them into blocks. Studies have shown that plastic bricks can surpass traditional clay bricks in compressive strength, water resistance, and durability, while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions and landfill waste. Key findings from research include: Plastic bricks with a 1:2 plastic-to-sand ratio exhibit compressive strengths much higher than conventional bricks. They absorb less water, offer better alkali resistance, are lightweight, and provide thermal insulation. Plastic bricks recycle significant amounts of waste plastic, reducing environmental pollution and promoting circular economy principles. Economically, they are cost-effective due to low raw material costs, and production can support local employment through small-scale manufacturing units. Limitations remain in fire resistance and use in heavy load-bearing structures, indicating areas for further innovation.

Introduction

The growing plastic waste problem, due to plastic’s non-biodegradable nature, causes severe environmental pollution. Meanwhile, the construction industry heavily consumes natural resources and contributes to environmental degradation. Combining plastic waste into construction materials—specifically plastic bricks—offers a dual solution by reducing plastic pollution and conserving resources.

Plastic bricks are made by mixing shredded plastic with sand, laterite soil, fly ash, or rubber powder and molding them into blocks. Studies have shown that plastic bricks can surpass traditional clay bricks in compressive strength, water resistance, and durability, while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions and landfill waste.

Key findings from research include:

• Plastic bricks with a 1:2 plastic-to-sand ratio exhibit compressive strengths much higher than conventional bricks.

• They absorb less water, offer better alkali resistance, are lightweight, and provide thermal insulation.

• Plastic bricks recycle significant amounts of waste plastic, reducing environmental pollution and promoting circular economy principles.

• Economically, they are cost-effective due to low raw material costs, and production can support local employment through small-scale manufacturing units.

Limitations remain in fire resistance and use in heavy load-bearing structures, indicating areas for further innovation.

Conclusion

The reviewed literature strongly supports the feasibility and sustainability of plastic bricks as an alternative construction material. These bricks are cost-efficient, environmentally beneficial, and suitable for various applications, particularly in non-structural infrastructure. While challenges like fire safety and long-term durability under extreme weather remain, the overall benefits of using plastic waste in construction are substantial.By converting a pollutant into a building resource, plastic bricks offer a practical solution to some of the world\'s most pressing environmental and infrastructure issues. With policy support, public awareness, and continued innovation, they have the potential to revolutionize the construction industry.

References

[1] Dinesh, S., Dinesh, A., & Kirubhakaran, K. (n.d.). Waste plastic in manufacturing of bricks and paver blocks. International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, 2(4), 364–368. [2] Dinesh S; Dinesh A; and Kirubhakaran k., Waste Plastic in Manufacturing of Bricks and Paver Blocks” International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, Vol.2 (4), pp. 364-368. [3] Nitin Goyal ; Manisha., “Constructing structures using eco-bricks”, International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering & Research . Vol.2 (4), pp. 159-164. [4] Maneet P D; Pramod K; Kishor Kumar; and Shanmukha Shetty., “Utilization of Waste Plastic in Manufacturing of Plastic- Soil Bricks” International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology, Vol.3 (8), pp. 529-536. [5] Puttaraj M.H; Shanmukha S; Navaneeth Rai P.G; and Prathima T.B, “Utilization of Wate Plastic in Manufacturing of Plastic-soil Bricks” International Journal of Technology Enhancement and Emerging Engineering Reshearch Vol. 2(4), pp. 102-107. [6] Santha Kumar A.R; “Concrete Technology” Oxford University Press. New Delhi. [7] Daftardar, R. Patel, R. Shah, P. Gandhi and H. Garg, “Use of Waste Plastic as a Construction Material” IJEAS, vol.4, no.11, 2017. [8] Central Pollution Control Board, “An overview of Plastic Waste Management” Delhi, pp. 1-22, 2012. [9] Raj, R.Kotian, N.G. Ashwath. “Study on Laterite-Cement bricks” Project report, K.V.G College of Engineering, Sullia.DK. 2011 -2012. [10] P. M. Hiremath, S. Shetty, N. Rai, “Utilization of Waste Plastic In Manufacturing of Plastic Soil Bricks” IJTEEE, vol. 2, no. 4, 2014. [11] S. Bose, S. Raju, “Utilization of waste plastic in Bituminous Concrete mixes”, Roads and Pavements, vol. 3 2004. [12] M.M.Reddy .k, Ajitha .B and Bhavani.R(2012) “Melt- Densified Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Bags Used as Light Weight Aggregate in Concrete”,IJERA,vol. 2, no.4, pp.1097-1101, 2012 [13] K. Prem Kumar1 , M.Gomathi2 1,2(Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, Periyar Maniammai University, Production of Construction Bricks by Partial Replacement of Waste Plastics. [14] Sachin Anant Kamble., Dnyandevkarad., (2017) “Plastic Brick” International Journal of Advance Research in Science and Engineering, ISSN 2319-8354. [15] Thirugnanasambantham .N., P. Tharun Kumar., R. Suijthra., R. Selvaraman., P. Bharathi., (2017) “Manufacturing And Testing of Plastic Sand Bricks” International Journal of Science and Engineering Research, Issue 4. [16] Shanmugavalli., Gowtham., P. Jeba Nalwin., B. Eswara Moorthy., (2017) “Reuse of Plastic Waste in Paver Blocks” International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, ISSN: 2278-0181 [17] Gopumohan., Jikku Mathew., JithhinNinan Kurian., John Thomas Moolayil., (2016) “Fabrication of plastic Brick Manufacturing Machine and Brick Analysis” International Journal for Innovative Research in Science & Technology, ISSN: 2349-6010. [18] S.V. Giri Babu., S. Krishnaiah., (2018) “Manufacturing of Eco -Friendly Brick: A Critical Review” International Journal of Computational Engineering Review, ISSN 2250-3005, Issue 2. [19] Pradeep. M., K. Veeraselvam., K. Tamil Thendral., (2019) “Analysis of Load Bearing Wall with opening using Waste Plastic Brick” International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, Issue 02. [20] Rajarapu Bhushaiah., Shaik Mohammad., D. Srinivasa Rao., (2019) “Study of Plastic Brick Made from Waste Plastic” International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, Issue 04 [21] Mojtaba Valinejad Shoubi, Azin Shakiba Barough (2013) Investigating the Application of Plastic Bottle as a Sustainable Material in the Building Construction. International Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Research (IJSETR) 2(1): 2278 -7798.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Mr. Rahul D. Shinde, Mr. Shubham R. Hatkar. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.