article · Science Research
Solid sandcrete blocks incorporating rubber and plastic waste offer improved moisture resistance in coastal and marine settings, though at the expense of structural load-bearing capacity. Testing different mixes under marine water exposure identified an optimal replacement ratio of 7.5 percent plastic and 7.5 percent rubber. While increasing plastic and rubber content up to 20 percent each reduced water absorption to 7.68 percent, compressive strength dropped substantially from 230 kilonewtons in control blocks to 42.5 kilonewtons at fourteen days. Analysis demonstrated a strong negative correlation of minus 0.981 between plastic content and compressive strength. Because the material loses significant strength as waste additions rise, the composite blocks cannot serve as load-bearing structural elements. Instead, their enhanced water resistance supports their use in non-structural coastal applications, combining waste recycling with durable, moisture-resistant building materials.
Coastal structures face accelerated degradation from marine water exposure, while plastic and rubber waste pose persistent environmental challenges. Repurposing these waste materials into sandcrete blocks provides a dual benefit: diverting stubborn refuse from disposal sites and producing construction components that resist saltwater penetration better than traditional blocks, supporting sustainable construction in vulnerable coastal regions.
This applied laboratory research demonstrates that rubber-plastic sandcrete blocks can serve in non-structural marine construction, such as partition walls or perimeter barriers in coastal areas. Manufacturers of precast masonry and contractors operating in maritime zones could adopt the optimised formula of 7.5 percent plastic and rubber. The technology appears to be applied and tested at experimental scale, requiring pilot-scale manufacturing trials and formal building standard assessments before market entry.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
The global consciousness towards advancement in eco-friendly constructions has engineered the discovery of alternative and sustainable use for waste materials. This study assessed the performance of rubber-plastic solid sandcrete blocks in marine water environments to address the dual challenges of environmental pollution from waste materials and building material durability in coastal regions. The research employed a Taguchi design of experiments to optimize the percentage composition of sand, rubber, and plastic, examining physical properties, water absorption rates, and compressive strength under marine conditions. Results showed that incorporating 20% plastic and 20% rubber significantly improved water resistance, achieving a water absorption rate of 7.68% compared to conventional blocks. However, compressive strength decreased with increasing plastic-rubber content, with the control mix achieving 230kN at 14 days versus 42.5kN for the 20% replacement mix. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong negative correlation (-0.981) between plastic content and compressive strength. The optimal mix composition was determined as 7.5% plastic and 7.5% rubber replacement. While these composite blocks showed reduced structural capacity, their superior water resistance makes them suitable for non-structural applications in marine environments, offering an eco-friendly solution for waste management and sustainable construction.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.11648/j.sr.20261404.15
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
