WASTES: Solutions, Treatments, and Opportunities
5th International Conference
September 4th – 6th, 2019
USE OF PLASTIC WASTE IN THE FORMULATION OF PREFABRICATED
CONCRETE ROOFING
N.Y. Gaibor1, G.C Chango2, L.M. Flores3, J.C. Gaibor4 and H.L. Brito5
1 Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction (CTAC), University of Minho, Guimarães,
Portugal, normfry_04@[Link]
2 Riobamba – Ecuador, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo,
[Link]@[Link]
3 Riobamba – Ecuador, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, [Link]@[Link]
4 Riobamba – Ecuador, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, juankg_95@[Link]
5 Riobamba – Ecuador, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, hbrito@[Link]
ABSTRACT
Prefabricated cement roof tiles were manufactured, replacing a percentage of sand by
residual high-density plastic. Preliminary tests were carried out to identify the optimal
percentage of residual plastic to be replaced (3%, 5%, and 7%). It was determined that the
most suitable granulometry is with the mesh No. 2.36 for the mixture with cement (hydraulic
binder), sieved sand and pigment. It was immediately taken to the molds to be pressed.
The unmolding was after 2 days of curing and the roof tiles were setting underwater for an
additional 14 days. After dry, breakage and absorption tests were performed, concluding
that the mixture with 5% of residual plastic meets the required quality standards.
Keywords: Formulation. Recycled plastic. Prefabricated concrete roofing.
INTRODUCTION
The conception of Earth as an infinite source of natural resources, and at the same time, as the
storage place of produced waste by the human being is an idea considered as the past [1]. Globally
335 Mt of plastic is produced every year, out of which less than 9% is recycled. Majority of the plastic
wastes are discarded into landfills causing serious environmental concerns [2]. Currently, the term
of development is managed from the sustainable point of view, which is focused on satisfying the
present human beings needs, without compromising the ability to maintain the natural resources in
the future [3,4]. For this reason, this study is focused on the incorporation of recycled plastic waste
into natural aggregates as raw materials for the development of new products in the way to preserve
the natural resources and minimize the environmental impacts caused by the industrial sector,
concurrently, promoting sustainable technologies [5].
Therefore, one Ecuadorian roof tiles industrial Plant bets on the rational use of available resources,
taking advantage of them by incorporating industrial plastic waste in the production of concrete tiles
replacing a percentage of sand with recycled plastic. The main aim is to determine the most proper
percentage of plastic waste to be added into the mixture in order to meet the parameters established
by the [Link] 2420 standard [6], and at the same time to obtain more resistant roof tiles, with
longer useful life, low cost, and high availability in the market.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this experimental work, plastic waste from Ecuadorian roof tiles industrial plant was studied.
Specifically, the plastic residue generated in the production of translucent plastic sheeting for roofing.
It was developed at the facilities of the quality control laboratory of the mentioned industrial plant,
over six months, two times per week, with a total of 60 samples. The sand content was replaced by
3%, 5% and 7% of recycled plastic in order to identify the optimal percentage to be used (Table 1).
It was also determined that the most suitable granulometry [7] is with the mesh No. 2.36 for the
mixture with cement (hydraulic binder), sieved sand, pigment and water. After to get a homogeneous
paste, it was immediately taken to the molds to be pressed under a force of 400 KPa. Once the
samples (tiles) are compact they are stored and dried, they are taken to the pre-set room and again
dried [8,9] to proceed with the physical and mechanical laboratory tests (breakage and absorption).
It was determined that to comply with the quality standards ([Link] 2420), the most appropriate
mixture is with the addition of 5% of plastic. This product can be used after 21 days of being
manufactured.
Table 1. Weight of sheeting for roofing, [Kg]
Weight
Raw materials
0% 3% 5% 7%
Sand 525 509,3 498,8 488,3
Plastic 0 15,7 26,2 36,7
Cement 180 180 180 180
Water 93 93 93 93
Total 798 798 798 798
Source: TUBASEC Industrial Plant, Orozco Catherine, 2019.
RESULTS
It was worked with a batch of 798 Kg, meaning 180 roof tiles with a weight of 4.43 Kg each. The
substitution in weight by plastic at 5% (26.2 kg/sand/batch) was made. Every day a total of 5000 tiles
are produced in the company. By replacing 727.8 Kg of plastic by sand in daily production, it
represents a saving of 9.4 USD American Dollars per day and 3427.7 USD American Dollars in a
year. The main contribution of the present study is the use of plastic waste generated during the
production process of plastic sheeting for roofing, which avoids pouring it into the environment.
Roof tiles were under roofing sheet breakage test according to the NTE INEN 2047 standard. For
the purpose of this test, it was also determined 5% of plastic is the optimum percentage in the
specimen, Table 2.
Table 2. Roofing sheet breakage test
Name Values
Type of material Concrete
Material Concrete sample – Standard sample
Standard NTE INEN 2047
Equipment Universal Testing Machine
Characteristic Standard sample (SS) + Plastic (P) (%)
Sample number 0 1 2 3
Material ID SS SS + P (3%) SS + P (5%) SS + P (7%)
Thickness [mm] 28,50 26,88 25,08 24,40
Width [mm] 51,54 51,62 51,52 51,10
Length between supports [mm] 250,00 250,00 250,00 250,00
Cross section [mm] 1498,85 1238,00 1252,70 1172,50
Maximum load [N] 43,80 235,00 217,00 228,22
Maximum effort [MPa] 2,14 2,36 2,50 2,82
Maximum arrow [mm] 0,90 0,62 0,66 0,65
Source: TUBASEC Industrial Plant, Orozco Catherine, 2019.
The density value of 1.83 g/mL obtained with the 5% by weight test of recycled plastic is the one
which meets the most the requirements of the standard despite the fact that the absorption value is
lower (11,10),Table 3.
Table 3. Absorption tests
Plastic Weight under Saturated Dry weight Density
Absorption
content [%] water [Kg] Weight [Kg] [Kg] [g/mL]
0 124,78 237,68 210,02 1,86 13,16
3 94,06 193,43 171,03 1,72 13,10
5 94,11 185,50 167,00 1,83 11,10
7 91,44 185,13 166,00 1,77 11,50
Source: TUBASEC Industrial Plant, Orozco Catherine, 2019.
CONCLUSIONS
This research project can be considered in the framework of sustainable development since the
developed technology uses 5% of plastic residue from the company for the production of cement
roof tiles. It meets the quality standards demonstrated in laboratory tests (physical and mechanical)
in such a way, the natural resources used in this production process are conserved. Besides, the
production process is considered as appropriate since it does not require large energy costs, does
not generate waste, and environmental pollution is diminished. Therefore, the results are being
socially acceptable, due to its good characteristics and competitive cost with existing market
alternatives.
REFERENCES
Reference an article:
Moliné A, et al. Aprovechamiento del PET residual para la conformación de placas
[1]
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[4]
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[6] Instituto Ecuatoriano de Normalización (INEN). (2005). NTE INEN 2420: Tejas de hormigón.
Requisitos e Inspección : Instituto Ecuatoriano de Normalización. Retrieved July 20, 2019, from
[Link]
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Construcción. España: OmniaScience; 2015. p. 148.
[8] Brito H. Texto Básico de Operaciones Unitarias II Riobamba: Docucentro ESPOCH; 2001.
[9] Brito H. Texto Básico de Operaciones Unitarias III Riobamba: SE; 2001.