Utilization of Plastic Wastes in The Production of Pavement Blocks: A Study on Mechanical Properties

Abstract

This study investigates the utilization of plastic wastes, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), poly propylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in the production of pavement block. These plastic were mixed in different ratios with cement, sand, and stone dust to produce durable and cost-effective blocks.The plastic wastes was shredded, melted (1700C-2900C), and mixed with fillers. The mixture was cast into moulds and tested for hardness and compressive strength). Significant improvements were observed: enhanced hardness (134N/mm2,), satisfactory compressive strength (33.03N/m2) compared to conventional blocks hardness 53.3N/mm2 and compressive strength 5.08N/m2) the plastic pavement blocks demonstrated superior performance. This research demonstrates the potential of plastic waste in construction, offering a sustainable solution for waste management and environmentally friendly infrastructure development.