Eco Brick Paper 140314 Full PaperR2
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Experimental Characterisation of Polyethylene Terephthalate
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(PET) Bottle Eco-Bricks
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Jonathan Taaffe1, Seán O’Sullivan1, Muhammad Ekhlasur Rahman2 and Vikram
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Pakrashi1*
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of Engineering, University College Cork, Ireland
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Dynamical Systems and Risk Laboratory, Civil and Environmental Engineering, School
School of Engineering & Science, Curtin University Sarawak, Malaysia
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Corresponding Author: Dr. Vikram Pakrashi, Lecturer in Structural Engineering,
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Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University College Cork, Ireland.
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Phone: +353(0)214903862 Email: V.Pakrashi@ucc.ie Fax: +353(0)214276648
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Abstract
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This paper addresses the issue of recycling waste plastic by considering the feasibility of
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use of Eco-bricks for constructional purposes. The Eco-bricks are formed by packing
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plastic within Polyethylene Terephtalate (PET) bottles. Guidelines were provided for the
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construction of Eco-bricks. Experiments were carried out to characterise some of the
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properties of these bricks. Compression test, sound insulation assessment and light
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transmission were considered in this regard and compared with traditional construction
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materials and conditions. Possible applications of Eco-bricks were discussed. The paper
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presents the first attempt to characterise these bricks and the results encourage future use
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of them to a significantly wider extent and for various purposes.
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Keywords: Plastic waste, Compressive Test, Sound Insulation, Light Transmission, Eco-
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brick
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1. Introduction
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Waste management problems related to high production of plastic is an extremely
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important global challenge [1-4] and recycling or recovery [5] routes of plastic solid
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waste have been highlighted by a number of researchers [6]. The mineralisation rate
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from long-term biodegradation experiments of both Ultra-Violet (UV)-irradiated
Experimental Characterisation of Polyethylene Terephthalate
2
(PET) Bottle Eco-Bricks
3
Jonathan Taaffe1, Seán O’Sullivan1, Muhammad Ekhlasur Rahman2 and Vikram
4
Pakrashi1*
5
6
1
7
of Engineering, University College Cork, Ireland
8
2
Dynamical Systems and Risk Laboratory, Civil and Environmental Engineering, School
School of Engineering & Science, Curtin University Sarawak, Malaysia
9
10
Corresponding Author: Dr. Vikram Pakrashi, Lecturer in Structural Engineering,
11
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University College Cork, Ireland.
12
Phone: +353(0)214903862 Email: V.Pakrashi@ucc.ie Fax: +353(0)214276648
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
1
1
Abstract
2
This paper addresses the issue of recycling waste plastic by considering the feasibility of
3
use of Eco-bricks for constructional purposes. The Eco-bricks are formed by packing
4
plastic within Polyethylene Terephtalate (PET) bottles. Guidelines were provided for the
5
construction of Eco-bricks. Experiments were carried out to characterise some of the
6
properties of these bricks. Compression test, sound insulation assessment and light
7
transmission were considered in this regard and compared with traditional construction
8
materials and conditions. Possible applications of Eco-bricks were discussed. The paper
9
presents the first attempt to characterise these bricks and the results encourage future use
10
of them to a significantly wider extent and for various purposes.
11
12
Keywords: Plastic waste, Compressive Test, Sound Insulation, Light Transmission, Eco-
13
brick
14
15
1. Introduction
16
Waste management problems related to high production of plastic is an extremely
17
important global challenge [1-4] and recycling or recovery [5] routes of plastic solid
18
waste have been highlighted by a number of researchers [6]. The mineralisation rate
19
from long-term biodegradation experiments of both Ultra-Violet (UV)-irradiated
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