IJBTT

Enhancing Mechanical and Physical Properties of Plastic Waste-Based Paving Stones through Recycled Plastic Bottle Fiber Addition

Enhancing Mechanical and Physical Properties of Plastic Waste-Based Paving Stones through Recycled Plastic Bottle Fiber Addition
	© 2025 by IJETT Journal
	Volume-73 Issue-1
	Year of Publication : 2025
	Author : Guy Oyéniran Adeoti, Bio Chéissou Koto Tamou, Edem Chabi, Peace Sèna Hounkpe
	DOI : 10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V73I1P122

How to Cite?
Guy Oyéniran Adeoti, Bio Chéissou Koto Tamou, Edem Chabi, Peace Sèna Hounkpe, "Enhancing Mechanical and Physical Properties of Plastic Waste-Based Paving Stones through Recycled Plastic Bottle Fiber Addition," International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology, vol. 73, no. 1, pp. 255-265, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V73I1P122

Abstract
This study investigates the enhancement of mechanical and physical properties of paving stones manufactured from plastic waste, targeting potential applications as road surface materials. Initially, paving stones were produced using an artisanal method with varying plastic content ranging from 20% to 40% to identify the optimal plastic-to-sand ratio. The results indicated that a plastic content of 25% provided the best performance, achieving compressive and tensile strengths of 4.85 MPa and 1.38 MPa, respectively. In the subsequent phase, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers derived from recycled plastic bottles were introduced in proportions of 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% (relative to sand weight). These fibers, measuring 5 mm in diameter and 6 cm in length, significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of the paving stones, with compressive strength increasing to 10.68 MPa (over 120%) and tensile strength reaching 2.48 MPa (an improvement of 79%) at an optimal fiber incorporation rate of 1.5%. Furthermore, water absorption rates decreased with higher fiber content, reaching a minimum of 0.24%. Despite these advancements, the paving stones did not fully comply with the NF EN 1338 standard requirements for road applications. These findings emphasize the potential of recycled plastic waste in sustainable construction while highlighting the need for further research to optimize material properties and achieve industry standards.

Keywords
Fiber from plastic bottles, Mechanical properties, Paving stones, Plastic waste, Road surface, Sustainable construction materials.

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