DERIVATION OF NUMERICAL VALUES OF THE MECHANICAL

PROPERTIES OF PROCESSED WASTE PLASTIC USING ANSYS15

SOFTWARE
L. T. Olivier
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Email: oliviertazou@gmail.com
A.A JIMOH
Email: aajimoh4real@yahoo.com
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
This paper presents the processing of plastic waste materials for application in buildings. The
different plastic types recycled were water sachets, water bags and plastic bottles. All plastic
types were melted at 60oC. The mechanical, physical and chemical properties were of all the
recycled plastic waste types were tested and from the laboratory test a computer analysis was
carried out to investigate its behaviour under flexure and compression. A suitable application
of these recycled waste plastic was found to be a construction tile and a further computer
analysis was carried out on a tile of (300 x 300 x 10mm) with a point load at the centre of the
tile to its possible point of failure. From the computer analysis carried out the total
deformation, stresses, strain, reactions and other relevant parameters were obtained as it
varies with time.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Waste is defined as any material that is not useful and does not represent any economic value
to its owner, the owner being the waste generator [4]. Depending on the physical state of
waste, wastes are categorized into solid, liquid and gaseous. Solid Wastes are categorized into
municipal wastes, hazardous wastes, medical wastes and radioactive wastes, liquid waste can
be defined as such fluids as wastewater, fats, oil or grease, used oil and hazardous household
liquid to name a few while gaseous wastes are gas products that results from various human
activities such as manufacturing, processing, material consumption or biological processes.
Note that, gaseous waste that is held in a close container falls into the category of solid waste
for disposal purposes. However, this study will be focused on solid waste and to be specific
thermoplastics. Managing solid waste generally involves planning, financing, construction
and operation of facilities for the collection, transportation, recycling and final disposition of
the waste [4].
A solid waste management (SWM) system includes the generation of waste, storage,
collection, transportation, processing and final disposal. Agricultural and manufactured
products of no more value are discarded as wastes. Once items are discarded as waste, they
need to be collected. Waste collection in most parts of the world is centralized and all kinds of
waste generated by a household or institution are collected together as mixed wastes.
Solid waste management (SWM) is a basic public necessity and this service is
provided by respective urban local bodies. SWM starts with the collection of solid wastes and
ends with their disposal and/or beneficial use. Proper SWM requires separate collection of
different wastes, called source separated waste collection. Source separated collection is
common in high income regions of the world like Europe, North America and Japan where
the infrastructure to transport separate waste streams exists. Most centralized municipal

systems in low income countries like Nigeria, Cameroon etc collect solid wastes in a mixed
form because source separate collection systems are non-existent. Source separated collection
of waste is limited by infrastructure, personnel and public awareness. A significant amount of
paper is collected in a source separated form, but informally. In this report, unmixed waste
will be specially referred to as source separated waste, in all other cases municipal solid
waste (MSW) or solid waste would refer to mixed wastes. The effect of plastic on landfills is
problematic, as it takes a long time to disintegrate. It is important to note that despite it being
a man made, chemical product it takes just as long to decompose as any food or paper wastes.
Given this, the recycling of plastic is still vital, as the carrying capacity of landfills is limited.
Even though earlier studies stated that plastic wastes do not create difficulties in landfill
operations and do not add to the toxicity of leachate from the landfills [1], over time these
have been discredited. The new concepts of biodegradation (where starch additives are
incorporated to plastic) and photo degradation (where photo sensitive additives are integrated
in the manufacturing of plastic products) have been controversial towards commercial
applications. Light and air must be available in order for the biodegradable and
photodegradable materials to decompose, along with sufficient moisture and nutrients to
sustain microbial action [2]. Thus, the deeper these plastics are buried in the landfill, the less
likely they are to decompose. Moreover, making plastics degradable would lower the quality
and performance of the material and therefore would mitigate some of its major desirable
features in various applications [5].
Therefore, it is reasonable to say that the market for plastic recycling is not threatened by
biodegradable and photo degradable plastic products. Due to the higher manufacturing costs
of these products compared to regular plastics, and the lack of environmental benefits, firms
will not replace conventional plastic products.
2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY
2.1 MATERIALS
The materials used in this paper are as follows: three waste plastic types (i.e plastic bottles,
water sachets and water bags), an electric furnace with up to 1000oC, a pot made of stainless
steel material, a ladle, moulds (forms).
2.2 METHOD
The various plastic waste types were processed in five steps as follows:
Plastic collection: the plastics wastes for recycling were collected around the Ilorin
metropolis.
Manual sorting: each plastic waste type were separated from each other and unwanted
materials were removed from the waste, like in waste plastic bottles, the plastics
normally attached on the skin of bottles and the bottle caps were removed.
Chipping: the various plastic waste sorted were then chopped into smaller pieces.
Washing: The chips were then washed to remove glue, paper labels, dirt and any
remnants of the product they once contained.
Melting: this was done by dissolving the chopped plastic which was placed in a pot
and inserted in the furnace. The furnace was then connected to the electricity and the
melting point and time of melting were recorded. Initially, the plastic wastes were
melted at 170oC, 155oC, 120oC and 60oC; this was to select a suitable melting
temperature.
However, when pouring the molten plastic into the forms, two cooling methods were carried
out. They are described as follows:
a) Uncontrolled cooling method: In this method, the molten plastic was poured into the
forms and it was allowed to cool at room temperature.

b) Controlled cooling method: : In this method, the molten plastic was poured into the
forms and it was then pressed and covered with a thick metal sheet so as to delay the
thermal equilibrium between the molten plastic and the surrounding.
LABORATORY TESTS CONDUCTED ON THE SPECIMENS PRODUCED
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
1) WATERABSORPTION: The water absorption test was carried out in accordance with
ASTM D570. The test specimens for moulded plastics were in the form of a disk 50.8
mm (2 in.) in diameter and 3.2 mm (18 inch.) thickness in accordance with ASTM
D570. The specimens were dried in an oven with temperature of 105 oC to 110oC for
duration of 24 hours and placed in a desiccator to cool. Immediately upon cooling, the
specimens were weighed. The specimens were then emerged in water with 23 oC for
24 hours and specimens were then removed, patted dry with a lint free cloth and
weighted.
Water absorption is expressed as increase in weight per cent.
Per cent (%) of water absorption = (wet weight dry weight)/ dry weight X100.
2) DENSITY AND SPECIFIC GRAVITY: The density and specific gravity of these
waste plastics were carried out according to ASTM D792. The specimen was first
weighted in air, then weight when immersed in distilled water at 23 oC using a sinker
and wire to hold the specimen completely submerged as required. Hence the density
and specific gravity were calculated.
Any convenient specimen size can be used for the test.
COMPUTATION:
Specific gravity = a/ [(a + w) b]; where
a = mass of specimen in air
b = mass of specimen and sinker in water
w = mass of totally immersed sinker if used and partially immersed wire.
Density (kg/m3) = (specific gravity) X 997.6 (density of water).
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
1) TENSILE STRENGTH: This test was carried out in accordance to ASTM D638. The
rate at which a sample was pulled apart in the test was ranged to be from 0.5 inches
per minute (0.212mm/sec). Five specimens were tested for all the various recycled
plastic waste.

2) COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH: This test was carried out according to ASTM D695.
The speed of the movable load was 0.05inch per minute (0.0212mm/s). From ASTM
D695 the dimension of the specimen is 0.5 X 0.5 X 1 (12.7 X 12.7X 25.4mm).
Five specimens were tested for all the various plastic waste.
3) FLEXURAL STRENGTH: This test was carried out in accordance with ASTM D790.
The specimen of 1/8 X 1/2 X 5 (3.2 X 12.7 X 127mm) was placed on two supports
and a load was applied at the centre. Five specimens were tested for all the various
plastic waste.
1

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
RESISTANCE TO CHEMICAL REAGENTS: This test was carried out according to
ASTM D543. In this research, the various recycled plastics were immersed in
hydrochloric acid with concentration of 5%, 15% and 60% concentration of the acid.
These plastics were also immersed in sodium hydroxide with concentrations of 5%,
15% and 60% respectively. However, the recycled waste plastics were also immersed
in a common salt called sodium chloride. After 24 hours, the specimens were removed
and evaluated for desired properties such as change in weight, appearance.

4.0 RESULTS
Mechanical properties of various recycled plastic materials are as follows:
a) Tensile strength: The results of the tensile strength of various plastic wastes were
obtained follows:
Table 4.1: Tensile properties of recycled plastics water sachets
S/N Force
Stress
Strain
Youngs
Time (secs) Energy
(N)
(N/mm2) (%)
Modulus(N/mm2)
(Nm)
1
2
3
4
5

246.8
187.2
89.4
115.3
104.2

1.234
0.798
0.221
0.573
0.392

0.128
0.780
0.338
0.490
0.386

181.841
132.624
104.254
116.637
110.365

0.836
0.587
0.673
0.735
0.537

0.009
0.006
0.008
0.007
0.008

b) Flexural strength: The results of the flexural strength of various plastic wastes were
obtained follows:
Table 4.2: Flexural properties of recycled plastics water sachets
S/ Deflectio Stress
Energy
Forc Bending
Bending
N n(mm)
(N/mm2) (Nm)
e(N) Strength
modulus
(N/mm2)
(N/mm2)

Rupture
strength
(N/mm2)

1
2
3
4
5

6.286
4.395
2.215
5.637
3.645

1.574
2.357
3.065
1.890
2..100

6.286
4.395
2.215
5.637
3.645

0.060
0.067
0.035
0.040
0.055

19.4
19.6
18.7
19.0
18.6

6.286
4.395
2.215
5.637
3.645

1467.144
945.909
385.844
488.647
674.437

c) Compressive strength: The results of the compressive strength of various plastic

wastes are as follows:
Table 4.3: Compressive properties of recycled plastics water sachets
S/N Deflectio Force Energy
Stress
Youngs
Tim(s)
n (mm)
(N)
(Nm)
(N/mm2) modulus
(N/mm2)

Tangentia
l modulus
(N/mm2)

1
2
3
4
5

31.687
26.192
22.100
30.748
26.547

0.411
0.301
0.675
0.811
0.275

620.2
429.8
370.3
512.6
361.8

0.122
0.127
0.086
0.135
0.098

2.326
6.124
3.591
4.536
3.253

205.144
105.624
160.189
106.647
154.536

4.612
1.501
2.010
4.018
3.475

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
The physical properties of the various recycled plastic type computed above are tabulated as
follows:

Table 4.4: Physical properties of recycled waste plastics.

S/N
Plastic type
Water
Specific gravity Density (kg/m3)
absorption (%)
(Gs)
1
Water sachets
3.00
1.104
1101.52
2
Water bags
2.67
1.106
1103.82
3
Water bottles
2.81
1.065
1062.77
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
The performances of each of the recycled waste plastic resistance to chemical attack are
tabulated below.
Table 4.5: Resistance to chemical attack of various recycled waste plastic
S/
Plastic type
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
Sodium
N
with concentrations
chloride
(NaCl)
5%
15%
60%
5%
15%
60%
1
Water sachets E
E
G
E
E
E
E
2
Water bags
E
E
G
E
E
E
E
3
Water bottles E
E
G
E
E
E
E
Where; E stands for excellent and it means the plastic totally resisted that particular substance
and G stands for good, which means that, the influence of that substance for a longer period
of time causes little or no defects to the specimen in it.
ANALYSIS
From the laboratory results obtained, a computer analysis using ansys15 was carried out to
see how the material fails under flexural load and compressions load and also to investigate
the behaviour of the various recycled plastic waste materials. The stresses, strain, total and
directional deformations and strain energy were determined from the analysis and their
results were tabulated and graphs were plotted. The analyses carried out are as follows:
Analysis of Flexural Specimen for water sachets

Plate 4.1: Directional deformation in y-axis

Analysis of flexural specimen for water bags

Plate 4.3: Equivalent (von mises) stress in flexural specimen

Analysis of flexural specimen for water bottles

Plate 4.4: Equivalent stress in flexural specimen

Analysis of compression specimen for water sachets

Plate 4.5: Equivalent stresses in the compressive specimen

Analysis of compression specimen for water bags

Plate 4.6: Equivalent stress in compression specimen

Analysis of compression specimen for water bottles

Plate 4.7: Equivalent stress in compression specimen

RECYCLED PLASTIC PLATE (TILE)
Plates (tiles) made of various recycled plastic material were also analysed with a point
load at the centre of the plate. However, the dimension of the plate was (300 x 300 x 10)
mm and the base of the plate was assumed to be of a elastic support with a unit weight of
18N/mm3. Furthermore, the stress, strain, deformations and energy were determined as
shown in the models below.
Analysis of plate sheet for water sachets

Plate 4.8: Equivalent stress of tile made of recycled plastic

Analysis of plate sheet for water bags

Plate 4.9: Equivalent stress of tile made of recycled plastic

Analysis of plate sheet for water bottles

Plate 4.10: Equivalent stress of tile made of recycled plastic

RESULTS OBTAINED FROM ANALYSIS OF FLEXURAL SPECIMEN
The results obtained from the analysis performed on the flexural specimen on all the
various recycled waste plastics are presented below:
Results obtained from the analsis of water sachets
Table 4.6: Equivalent stress (von mises) of recycled plastics in flexural specimen
Equivalent
stress(von
Time(s)
mises) MPa
2.00E-02
0.21207
4.00E-02
0.42413
0.1
1.0603
0.2
2.1206
0.3
3.1809
0.4
4.2412
0.5
5.3015
0.6
6.3618
0.7
7.4221
0.8
8.4824
0.9
9.5427
1
10.603
2
7.73E-04
Results obtained from the analysis of water bags
Table 4.7: equivalent stress
Time(s)
2.00E-02
4.00E-02
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6

Equivalent
stress(Mpa)
0.21742
0.43483
1.0871
2.1741
3.2612
4.3482
5.4353
6.5223

0.7
0.8
0.9
1
2

7.6093
8.6964
9.7834
10.87
7.93E-04

Results obtained from the analysis of water bottles

Table 4.8: equivalent stress
equivalent
time(s)
stress(Mpa)
2.00E-02
0.23567
4.00E-02
0.47132
0.1
1.1783
0.2
2.3566
0.3
3.5349
0.4
4.7132
0.5
5.8914
0.6
7.0697
0.7
8.248
0.8
9.4262
0.9
10.604
1
11.783
2
8.59E-04
Results from the analysis of sachets
Table 4.9: Stresses in the compressive specimen
Max
stress(Mpa
Time(s)
)
2.00E-02
1.7052
4.00E-02
3.4104
0.1
8.526
0.2
17.052
0.3
25.578
0.4
34.104
0.5
42.63
0.6
51.156
0.7
59.682
0.8
68.208
0.9
76.734
1
85.26

(von-mises)

Min
stress(Mpa)
5.46E-02
0.1091
0.27276
0.5455
0.81815
1.0908
1.3634
1.636
1.9085
2.181
2.4535
2.726

Results from the analysis of recycled waste water bags

Figure 4.10: equivalent stress
Time(s)
Max

equivalent Min

equivalent

2.00E-02
4.00E-02
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
2

stress(Mpa)
1.7482
3.4965
8.7412
17.482
26.224
34.965
43.706
52.447
61.188
69.929
78.671
87.412
1.41E-02

stress(Mpa)
5.59E-02
0.11186
0.27966
0.55928
0.83885
1.1184
1.3979
1.6774
1.9568
2.2362
2.5156
2.7949
2.05E-06

Results from the analysis of recycled waste water bottles

Table 4.11: equivalent stress
Max
equivalent Min
Time(s)
stress(Mpa)
stress(Mpa)
2.00E-02
1.895
6.06E-02
4.00E-02
3.79
0.12127
0.1
9.475
0.30319
0.2
18.95
0.6063
0.3
28.425
0.90942
0.4
37.9
1.2125
0.5
47.375
1.5155
0.6
56.85
1.8185
0.7
66.325
2.1214
0.8
75.8
2.4244
0.9
85.275
2.7272
1
94.75
3.0301
2
1.44E-02
2.25E-06

equivalent

RESULTS OBTAINED FROM ANAYSIS OF RECYCLED PLASTIC PLATE (TILE)

The results obtained from the analysis performed on the plastic sheet above are presented as
follows:
Results obtained from the analysis of recycled water sachets
Table 4.12: Equivalent strain of recycled plastic plate with time
Max
Min
Time(s)
strain(mm/mm) strain(mm/mm)
2.00E-02 3.32E-04
1.30E-08
4.00E-02 6.64E-04
2.60E-08
0.1
1.66E-03
6.49E-08
0.2
3.32E-03
1.30E-07

0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
2

4.98E-03
6.64E-03
8.30E-03
9.96E-03
1.16E-02
1.33E-02
1.49E-02
1.66E-02
1.66E-02

1.95E-07
2.60E-07
3.24E-07
3.89E-07
4.54E-07
5.19E-07
5.84E-07
6.49E-07
6.49E-07

Results obtained from the analysis of recycled water bags

Table 4.14: equivalent stress
Max
equivalent
Time(s)
mises)Mpa
2.00E-02 3.02E-02
4.00E-02 6.05E-02
0.1
0.15122
0.2
0.30243
0.3
0.45365
0.4
0.60487
0.5
0.75608
0.6
0.9073
0.7
1.0585
0.8
1.2097
0.9
1.361
1
1.5122
2
1.5122

stress(von Min
equivalent
mises)Mpa
1.75E-06
3.49E-06
8.73E-06
1.75E-05
2.62E-05
3.49E-05
4.37E-05
5.24E-05
6.11E-05
6.99E-05
7.86E-05
8.73E-05
8.73E-05

stress(von

Results obtained from the analysis of recycled water bottles

Figure 4.15: equivalent stress
Max
equivalent
stress(von Min equivalent stress (von
Time(s)
mises)Mpa
mises) Mpa
2.00E-02
3.24E-02
1.61E-06
4.00E-02
6.49E-02
3.21E-06
0.1
0.16217
8.03E-06
0.2
0.32433
1.61E-05
0.3
0.4865
2.41E-05
0.4
0.64866
3.21E-05
0.5
0.81083
4.01E-05
0.6
0.973
4.82E-05
0.7
1.1352
5.62E-05
0.8
1.2973
6.42E-05
0.9
1.4595
7.22E-05
1
1.6217
8.03E-05
2
1.6217
8.03E-05

DISCUSSIONS
From the results obtained, the analysis of the flexural specimen made of various
recycled waste plastic can be seen to have maximum reaction force of 446.8, 458.11 and
496.56N in y-axis for plastic 1, plastic 2 and plastic 3 respectively, while the reaction forces
in the x and z-axis were found to have no effect on the specimen since they had negative
values. The total deformations and the directional deformations of the various specimens
before failure were seen to be 15.291mm and 0.80494mm respectively for all recycled waste
plastic type. Also, the equivalent stress hits a maximum of 10.604MPa, 10.87MPa and
11.783MPa for plastic 1, plastic 2 and plastic 3 respectively and an equivalent strain of
8.72e-02mm/mm for all the recycled waste plastic. However, other relevant information such
as the strain energy was also found to be 219.42mJ, 224.95mJ and 243.83mJ respectively.
Finally, the shear stress was also obtained to be 1.5094MPa, 1.5475MPa and 1.6774MPa for
plastic 1, 2 and 3 respectively. These values obtained however, shows little or no difference
from the values obtained in the laboratory. The graphs below show the variation of each of
these properties with time. Also, the stress/strain graphs were found to be linear for recycled
waste plastic type.
Again, from the results obtained, the analysis of the compression specimen made of
various recycled waste plastic can be seen to have maximum reaction force of 13076, 13405
and 14530 in y-axis for plastic 1, plastic 2 and plastic 3 respectively, while the reaction forces
in the x and z-axis were found to have no effect on the specimen since they had negative
values. The total deformations and the directional deformations of the various specimens
before failure were seen to be 15mm and 0mm respectively for all recycled waste plastic
type. Also, the equivalent stress hits a maximum of 2.726MPa, 2.7949MPa and 3.0301MPa
for plastic 1, plastic 2 and plastic 3 respectively and an equivalent strain of 0.55953, 0.62171
and 0.62172mm/mm for all the recycled waste plastic respectively. However, other relevant
information such as the strain energy was also found to be 1843.3mJ, 1889.7mJ and
2048.2mJ respectively. Finally, the shear stress was also obtained to be 48.73MPa,
49.957MPa and 54.14MPa for plastic 1, 2 and 3 respectively. These values obtained however,
shows little or no difference from the values obtained in the laboratory. The graphs below
show the variation of each of these properties with time. Also, the stress/strain graphs were
found to be linear for recycled waste plastic type.
From the results obtained, the analysis of the plates (tiles) specimen made of various
recycled waste plastic can be seen to have maximum total deformations of 1.7499mm,
1.7445mm and 1.7242mm for recycled waste plastic 1, plastic 2 and plastic 3 respectively.
Also, the equivalent stress hits a maximum of 1.483MPa, 1.5122MPa and 1.6217MPa for
plastic 1, plastic 2 and plastic 3 respectively and an equivalent strain of 0.0166, 0.0165 and
0.0163mm/mm for all the recycled waste plastic respectively. However, other relevant
information such as the strain energy was also found to be 202.11mJ, 204.84mJ and
214.75mJ respectively. The graphs below show the variation of each of these properties with
time. Also, the stress/strain graphs were found to be linear for recycled waste plastic type.
Hence, these results can be presented graphically as follows:
GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF RESULTS FOR FLEXURAL OF RECYCLED
PLASTIC 1

Equivelent stress(von mises) Mpa vs Time(s)

15
10
5
0
0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

Figure 4.1: Equivalent stress (von mises) MPa vs time(s)

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF RESULTS FOR FLEXURAL OF RECYCLED
PLASTIC 2

Equivalent stress(MPa)
20
Equivalent stress(MPa) 10
0
0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

Time(s)

Figure 4.2: Equivalent stress (MPa) vs Time(s)

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF RESULTS FOR FLEXURAL OF RECYCLED
PLASTIC 3

equivalent (von-mises) stress(Mpa)

20
Equivalent stress(MPa) 10
0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Time(s)

Figure 4.3: Equivalent stress(MPa) vs Time(s)

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF RESULTS FOR COMPTRESSION OF RECYCLED
WATER SACHETS

Stress(Mpa) vs Time(s)
100
Stress(MPa)

50
0
0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

Time(s)

Figure 4.4: Stress (MPa) vs Time(s)

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF RESULTS FOR COMPRESSION OF RECYCLED
WATER BAGS

Equivalent stress(Mpa)
100
Equivalent stress(MPa)

50
0
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50
Time(s)

Figure 4.5: Equivalent stress (MPa) vs Time(s)

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF RESULTS FOR COMPRESSION OF RECYCLED

WATER BOTTLES

Equivalent stress(MPa)
Equivalent stress(MPa)
0.000.501.00 1.502.002.50
Time(s)

Figure 4.6: Equivalent Stress (MPa) vs Time(s)

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF RESULTS FOR PLATES MADE OF RECYCLED

WATER SACHETS

Stress(Mpa) vs Time(s)
2.0
Stress(MPa) 1.0
0.0
0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

Time(s)

Figure 4.7: Equivalent Stress (MPa) vs Time (s)

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF RESULTS FOR PLATES MADE OF RECYCLED
WATER BAGS

max equivalent stress(von mises)Mpa

2.00
Equivalent stress(MPa) 1.00
0.00
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50
Time(s)

Figure 4.8: Equivalent stress (MPa) vs Time(s)

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF RESULTS FOR PLATES MADE OF RECYCLED

WATER BOTTLES

max equivalent stress(von mises)Mpa

2.00
Equivalent stress(MPa) 1.00
0.00
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50
Time(s)

Figure 4.9: Equivalent Stress (MPa) vs Time(s)

5.0 CONCLUSION
Based on the findings of this research, the following conclusion can be drawn:
1. There is really no difference between the plastics types studied in this research
because, they all have similar properties and can all be applicable in building areas
such as construction tiles etc.
2. During the production of plastic sheets (tiles), a minimum of 10mm thickness should
be produced because the smaller the thickness, the more severe the shrinkage
becomes and the higher the thickness, the lesser the effect of shrinkage.
3. When cooling these recycled plastics, the controlled cooling method should be
adopted because this method minimises the chances of shrinkage in the final product
because this cooling method delays the thermal equilibrium between the material and
the room temperature.

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solid waste in Mexico and Potential for improving Waste Management in Toluca
Municipality. Waste - to Energy Research and Technology Council (WTERT).
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