Effects of fire on the compressive strength of concrete hollow blocks mixed with plastic waste aggregates

• Main Authors: Alcantara, Jason Joshua T., Ayala, Maria Patrisha S., Santos, Veya Marie B., Yao, Eunice Betina S.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2016
• Subjects: Aggregates (Building materials) > Fire testing; Hollow bricks > Fire testing; Plastics in building
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/6214
• Institution: De La Salle University

Plastic is the leading waste generated globally because if its vast usage. It continues to be a threat to the environment as plastic is often improperly disposed, hence, urging manufacturers to device different sustainable by-products as a way of utilizing waste. An example of this effort is done by a community in Don Bosco, Calauan, Laguna wherein the community incorporates plastic waste aggregates (PWA) in the production of concrete hollow blocks. However, various considerations have rarely been studies in the Philippines-- including the effects of fire on its compressive strength. It is known that forms of plastic are highly susceptible to fire which raises the question regarding the performance of concrete hollow blocks infused with plastic waste aggregates in case of fire. Because of this, the study on the effects of fire on the compressive strength of concrete hollow blocks mixed with plastic waste aggregates was conducted. It was found that the partial replacement of PWA as aggregates significantly decreased the compressive strength of CHB when exposed to fire. Although through the application of 0.5 mortar plaster, the compressive strength of the samples significantly increased as it served as a protection of the blocks from immediate contact with fire. Additionally, cost analysis showed that, although incorporation of PWA can lower production cost, the conventional design mixture remained to be the most economical in terms of cost effectiveness because of PWA content is increased, compressive strength is decreased.