Development and performance evaluation of polymer cement hybrid bricks incorporating polymeric waste for sustainable construction

Abstract

The sudden emergence of the production of non biodegradable waste such as plastic and used tires is a grave environmental concern, with millions of tons being produced annually. Conventional methods of disposal such as landfilling, open dumping, and burning are leading to serious environmental effects [1]. Pyrolysis is a exciting waste to resource technology that produces oil, syngas, and a solid product pyrolysis char [2]. While oil and syngas are widely used as fuel, pyrolysis char finds limited application in Sri Lanka, where most of the plants are for fuel recovery. Pyrolysis yields about 30% to 40% of char material, which contains value added material like carbon black and silica and possesses properties like porosity, high percentage of carbon, and thermal stability and is thus usable in lightweight construction bricks [3]. Char must be bound by materials like cement or other substances to impart strength and endurance. Despite global attention on green construction materials, few studies have been conducted on using tire and plastic based pyrolysis char in bricks, particularly in Sri Lanka. This work reduces this gap by developing eco friendly bricks with locally manufactured pyrolysis char and silica Rich Husk Ash (RHA) [4]. The research seeks to optimize mix ratio, mechanical and heat testing, and compare performance to conventional clay and cement bricks. The outcomes are expected to promote circular economy practice and offer a sustainable alternative for Sri Lankan construction.