Production of Pavement Blocks Using Low Density Polyethylene Product Waste

Abstract

Waste sachet water packs cause considerable land pollution in Nigeria. In this research, pavement block was produced using low density polyethylene products waste (sachet water packs) as an alternative binder. The production was achieved by first converting the sachet water packs into pellets and blending it with sandstone in a mass ratio of 8:2 (A), 7:3 (B) and 6:4 (C) sandstone to pellets respectively. The compressive strength, %water absorption and curing time tests were carried out on the pavement block to determine it suitability and safety for low-traffic use. The compressive strength for polymer concrete samples A, B and C were 13.65N/mm2, 16.99N/mm2 and 20.34N/mm2 respectively. After carrying out the %water absorption test on the polymer concrete A, B and C the following result was obtained: 8.33%, 5.47% and 4.03% respectively. It should be noted that the polymer concrete samples and the control samples which (are cement concrete based) are for light-traffic use (pedestrian, plazas, shopping complexes ramps, car parks, office drive ways, rural roads with low traffic, and residential road).