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DISPOSABLE MASK SOLID CONCRETE BLOCKS

Research · November 2021

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.18223.87203

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Vidyabharati International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (Special Issue) ISSN 2319-4979

DISPOSABLE MASK SOLID CONCRETE BLOCKS

Sankal pasri S S[1]
[1]
Assistant Professor, School of Civil Engineering, REVA University, Rukmini knowledge park, Kattigenahalli,
Yelahanka, Bengaluru-560064.
Lalithamba C[2]Namrata Angadi[3]Tanu H M[4]Reshma T V[5]
[2]
Assistant Professor, Dept of Civil Engineering, SJBIT, Kengeri, Bengaluru-560060
[3]
Assistant Professor, Dept of Civil Engineering, KLS's Gogte Institute of Technology, Belgaum-590008
[4]
Assistant Professor, Dept of Civil Engineering, Ballari Institute of Technology, Ballari
[5]
Assistant Professor, Dept of Civil Engineering, School of Technology,GITAM University, Bengaluru-562163.

ABSTRACT
In the face of COVID-19 outbreak, we are living through truly unprecedented times. One of the areas where guidance
continues to evolve includes face coverings and masks. The use of PPE, in particular face masks, and to lesser extent
gloves and face shields, has become widespread and a common tool used in preventing the spread of pandemic.These
masks eventually land up in oceans and land-fills. These masks will take as long as 450 years to break down and negatively
impact marine wildlife and Ecosystem.More than 1.5 billion disposable face masks will wind up in the world’s oceans this
year polluting the water with tons of plastic and endangering marine wildlife, according to a Hong Kong-based
environmental group. With each mask weighing three to four grams, the situation could lead to 6,800 plus tons of plastic
pollution that will take as long as 450 years to break down.In addition to the harmful effects of micro-plastic and nano-
plastic particles, elastic ear loops pose a possible entanglement risk for wildlife.
If historical data is a reliable indicator, it can be expected that around 75 per cent of the used masks, as well as other
pandemic-related waste, will end up in landfills, or floating in the seas. Aside from the environmental damage, the financial
cost, in areas such as tourism and fisheries, is estimated by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) at around $40
billion.The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has warned that, if the large increase in medical waste, much of it made
from environmentally harmful single-use plastics, is not managed soundly, uncontrolled dumping could result. The
potential consequences, says UNEP, which has produced a series of factsheets on the subject, include public health risks
from infected used masks, and the open burning or uncontrolled incineration of masks, leading to the release of toxins in
the environment, and to secondary transmission of diseases to humans.Because of fears of these potential secondary
impacts on health and the environment, UNEP is urging governments to treat the management of waste, including medical
and hazardous waste, as an essential public service. The agency argues that the safe handling and final disposal of this
waste is a vital element in an effective emergency response.
Keywords: Bio-Medical Waste, Disposable masks, Pollution, Solid Concrete Blocks.

INTRODUCTION
While masks and other protective items have been vital in
the fight against COVID-19, they can have an incredibly
detrimental impact on the environment. Single-use face
masks are made from a variety of melt blown plastics and
are difficult to recycle due to both composition and risk of
contamination and infection.
Plastic masks can take hundreds of years to break down.
The use of PPE, in particular face masks, has become a
common tool used in preventing the spread of the virus,
with many jurisdictions mandating the wearing of masks
in public. The production of PPE has expanded in an
attempt to meet skyrocketing demand, and PPE waste has
also increased dramatically.
They enter oceans when they are littered, when waste
management systems are inadequate or non-existent, or
when these systems become overwhelmed due to
increased volumes of waste.The promotion of mask
wearing as a way to slow the spread of COVID-19 has led
to an extraordinary increase in the production of
disposable masks: the UN trade body, UNCTAD,
estimates that global sales will total some $166 billion
this year, up from around $800 million in 2019.Recent
media reports, showing videos and photos of divers
picking up masks and gloves, littering the waters around
the French Riviera, were a wake-up call for many,
refocusing minds on the plastic pollution issue, and a
reminder that politicians, leaders and individuals need to
address the problem of plastic pollution.
Bio-Medical Waste Solid Concrete Blocks:

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Vidyabharati International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (Special Issue) ISSN 2319-4979

During the pandemic large amounts of disposable masks and 2:3 were selected for BMW and Standard Solid
are been disposed off either in landfill or end up in seas, Blocks after trial and error method.
these masks can be reused instead of leaving to rot in
oceans causing negative impact on marine animals. In this
study these masks are used to prepare solid concrete
blocks by adding the disposable mask to the conventional
raw materials by doing so not only reduces the pollution
but also tends to reuse disposable masks. Bio-Medical
Waste Solid Concrete Blocks are manufactured using
Cement, mixture of M-Sand and stone chips and
Disposable Masks in a proportion of 3:3:1 (which is
obtained after trial and error method). These solid blocks
are found to be strong and can be used in construction of
both Load bearing and Non Load bearing wall
constructions, irrespective of the weather conditions. The
process involved in manufacturing and the test results are
show below.
Objectives of the study:
 To study the effects of used Disposable face
mask on the Environment.
 To manufacture solid concrete blocks with Bio-
Medical Waste (Disposable Mask).
 To find out optimum ratio by trial and error
method (Through literature survey).
 To study the effect of bio-medical waste
(Disposable Mask) on the compressive strength,
block density and water absorption capacity
according to IS 2185(Part1):2005.
 To compare the results of BMW solid blocks
Materials used
with Standard or Conventional solid bocks.
Cement:
Significance of the study:
Is the most common type of cement in general use around
The onset of COVID-19 established a new set of health
the world, because it is a basic ingredient of concrete,
advisories, the need to practice social distancing, washing
mortar, stucco and most non-specialty grout. It is a fine
hands frequently, and the absolute and unarguable powder produced by grinding Portland cement clinker
requirement to wear a mask. Wearing of masks is now the
(more than 90%), a limited amount of calcium sulphate
new normal, blurring all divides. To further emphasis the
which controls the set time, and up to 55 minor
importance, it has been made a punishable offence not to
constituents (as allowed by various standards).
wear one. More importantly, its sign of civic
responsibility for all citizens, not wearing one is a mark of The specific gravity of the cement was 3.15.
irresponsibility. These play an important role in present
Disposable Masks:
situation and once they are disposed off they cause
problems to the environment in form of land and marine One part of disposable mask is used to produce the Bio-
pollution. To overcome these problems, it is necessary to Medical Waste Blocks, the masks were collected from
study the effects of these wastes and find a way to recycle various sources and were kept sealed for a period of 72
and reuse these left over masks before it is too late to do hrs. Later they were removed and hand shredded into
so. small pieces.

Methodology: Stone Chips (Size < 12mm):

In this study a total of 32 specimens were made which Standard crushed stone chips passing 12mm Indian
include 16 specimens of Bio-Medical Waste Solid Blocks Standard sieve are used in the manufacturing of standard
(BMWBlocks) and 16 specimens of Standard or Concrete Blocks. The same were used for the production
Conventional Solid Blocks.The mix proportions of 3:3:1 of Bio-Medical Waste Blocks as well.

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Vidyabharati International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (Special Issue) ISSN 2319-4979

M-Sand: The various steps used in preparation of BMW Blocks

specimens are given below:
Manufactured Sand is generally used in the
manufacturing of standard Concrete Blocks. The same
were used for the production of Bio-Medical Waste
Blocks as well to provide a similar mix.
Water:
Potable water used for the production of Bio-Medical
Waste Blocks.
Selection of mix proportion for bio-medical waste
blocks using trial and error method
Two proportions were chosen for both standard concrete
blocks and BMWblocks and compressive strength test
were conducted on the samples after 7 days of curing in
accordance to “is 2185 (part1) : 2005” to obtain the final
mix proportion for various tests to be conducted on the
blocks.
The selected mix proportions were 1:2 and 2:3 for
standard concrete blocks and 1.5:2:1 and 3:3:1 for BMW
blocks and the test results are shown below.
Table1. Compressive strength after 7 days
Compressive
strength after 7
Sl. no. Samples
days of curing
Standard blocks
 The disposable masks were collected from
various collection points and were sealed for 72
hours. The masks are then taken out and were
left for about 3 hours in a disinfectant solution.
 The masks are shredded into small pieces and
mixed with cement and water uniformly.
 Initially 3 parts of cement with 3 parts of
mixture of M-Sand and stone chips and 1 part
of mask are added and mixed together to obtain
a uniform mix.
 The mix obtained is added into standard solid
block moulds and vibro-compacted.
 The above obtained solid concrete blocks are
sun dried and cured.
 After curing the samples for 7 days, 14 days
and 28 days, tests are to be performed on them
to determine the maximum compressive
strength, block density, water absorption
capacity and shape of the solid blocks
according to IS 2185(Part 1):2005.

01. 1:2 2.9 N/mm2  The results are then compared with the results
2 of standard solid concrete blocks.
02. 2:3 3.3 N/mm
Testing:
BMW blocks
Compressive strength test
01. 1.5:2:1 3.2 N/mm2
In this test the blocks are placed in the CTM and load is
02. 3:3:1 3.9 N/mm2 applied gradually without shock until the specimen fails.

Fig.1 Compressive Strength Test Results

5
4
3
2 sample 1
1
sample 2
0
Fig.2 Compressive Strength Test

According to results obtained from above chart mix

proportions of 2:3 and 3:3:1 are considered for Standard
Concrete blocks and Bio-Medical Waste blocks
respectively.
Manufacturing process of BMW Blocks:
Block Density Test
According to IS 2185(Part 1):2005, the block shall be
weighed in kilograms (to the nearest 10g) and the density
of each block shall b calculated by dividing mass by
volume of the block.

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Vidyabharati International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (Special Issue) ISSN 2319-4979

01. STD 01 4.94 N/mm2

02. STD 02 4.85 N/mm2
03. STD 03 4.85 N/mm2
BMW Concrete Block
01. BMW 01 6.42 N/mm2
02. BMW 02 6.50 N/mm2
03. BMW 03 6.35 N/mm2
Table.2 Determinationof Compressive Strength after
28 days.
The second table shows the compressive strength of both
BMW blocks as well as Standard (STD) blocks. The
Compressive strength is found by dividing the failure load
by gross area of the sample. As it can be seen from table.2
BMW blocks has shown optimum results in comparison
Fig.3 Block Density Test to Standard blocks after 28 days of curing. The maximum
compressive strength obtained for Standard blocks and
Water Absorption Test BMW blocks after 7 and 14 days of curing were 3.37
Water absorption test is found in form of percentage after N/mm2, 3.92 N/mm2and 4.15 N/mm2, 4.33 N/mm2
7, 14, and 28 days of curing according to IS 2185 (Part 1) respectively.
2005. Figure.6 Variation of compressive strength of the
blocks in N/mm2

8
6
4 After 7 days
2 After 14 days
0
After 28 days
STANDARD BMW BLOCKS
BLOCKS

Block Density test:

Block density of the specimens are found in accordance to
IS 2185 (Part 1): 2005.
Sl.No. Sample Block density after
Fig.4 Fig.5 28 days of curing
Saturated WeightDry Weight Standard Concrete Block
Results and Discussion: 01. STD 01 2106.41 Kg/m3
Test Results: 02. STD 02 2104.98Kg/m3
Compressive strength test: 03. STD 03 2098.95 Kg/m3
Compression strength of samples is found in the BMW Concrete Block
compression strength testing machine on the BMW
blocks for curing times. 01. BMW 01 2265.38 Kg/m3

Sl.No. Sample Compressive strength 02. BMW 02 2275.32 Kg/m3

after 28 days of curing 03. BMW 03 2260.77 Kg/m3
Standard Concrete Block Table.3Determination of Block Density after 28 days.

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As seen in Table.3, maximum block density is obtained in

15.00%
BMW blocks after 28 days of curing. Similarlythe
maximum block density values obtained for Standard 10.00%
blocks and BMW blocks after 7 and 14 days of curing After 7 days
5.00%
were 2156.41 Kg/m3, 2216.66 Kg/m3and 2101.28 Kg/m3, After 14 days
2233.33 Kg/m3respectively. 0.00%
After 28 days
Figure.7 Variation of block density of the blocks in STANDARD BMW
Kg/m3 BLOCKS BLOCKS

2300
CONCLUSION
2200
After 7 days  The addition of disposable mask with increased
2100 cement content has showmassive increase in
After 14 days compressive strength.
2000
After 28 days
STANDARD BMW BLOCKS  The compressive strength of the Bio-Medical
BLOCKS Waste blocks has increased by about 30%.

 As there is notable increase in compressive

Water absorption test:
strength, these blocks can be used in construction
Water absorption test is found in form of percentage after of Load-Bearing as well as Non Load-Bearing
7, 14, and 28 days of curing according to IS 2185 (Part 1) walls.
2005.
 The BMW blocks have shown considerable
Table.4 Determination of water absorption after 28
increase in block density compared to Standard
days.
Concrete Blocks.
Sl.No.. Sample Water absorption
after 28 days of  The water absorption percentages have decreased
curing with time and satisfy the need of IS 2185 (Part
1): 2005.
Standard Concrete Block
01. STD 01 4.31 %  The BMW blocks have shown good results in
Field Test after 28 days of curing period.
02. STD 02 4.40%
03. STD 03 4.36 %  The addition of disposable masks has
significantly improved the engineering properties
BMW Concrete Block of the Concrete Blocks.
01. BMW 01 3.51 %
From this study it can be concluded that using 1
02. BMW 02 3.34 % part of Disposable Masks in Solid Concrete
Blocks not only reduces Marine and Land
03. BMW 03 3.60 %
pollution but also shows substantial results and
the blocks thus obtained are economical,
environmental friendly and technically
Table.4 shows the results obtained for water absorption sustainable.
test. The percentage of water absorption have gradually
decreased in case of BMW blocks with respect to curing ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
period, and have shown the least water absorption
We would like to thank REVA University for their never
percentage compared to Standard concrete blocks. The
ending support in order to carry out the research work.
maximum values of water absorption for Standard and
We sincerely thank Prof. Mrs. Sankalpasri SS, for her
BMW blocks with 7 and 14 days of curing were 9.60%,
guidance throughout the duration of the research work.
8.33 % and 7.23 %, 6.17 % respectively.
We would also like to extend our thanks to the technical
Figure.8 Variation of Water absorption test results of staff of REVA University Civil Engineering Lab, Mr.
the blocks in % Gopal Raju and Mr. Lakshmipathi for their help and
support. We would also like to thank our parents who
were with us and extended all the help they could.

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Vidyabharati International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (Special Issue) ISSN 2319-4979

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