UTILIZATION OF HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE…

CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

1.1 Introduction

Plastics are a force to be reckoned with. The more we used and needed it in our everyday

lives, the more manufacturers produced it. While plastics have valuable applications, humans

have developed a dependence on single-use or disposable plastics, which has serious

environmental effects. Plastics last more than a hundred years to degrade in exchange for their

benefits. River clay is easy to find and produces a mud that may be molded and dried to form a

relatively hard solid when mixed with water. This feature of clay is employed by potters and

environmental companies to create waste-containment pots, bowls, and vases. (Foley, 2010)

According to its mass, the Philippines is in the top three countries when it comes to

plastic garbage mismanagement. These wastes have a significant influence on humans, wildlife,

and the environment. Plastic is one of the primary causes of pollution on land and in water. And

the question that people are most concerned about is how they will reduce and control the

pollution caused by plastics.

The goal of this study is to see how strong or durable HDPE is when coupled with river

clay in terms of heat and water resistance, drop tests, and hydraulic pressure. As a result, the

researchers devise a method of slowing the flow of plastics by creating pavement bricks

composed of plastic and river clay. Alternative pavement bricks incorporate plastic, which is one

of the safest materials to use, such as High-Density Polyethylene Plastic, which has a recycling

number of 2. (Seaman, 2015).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

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The researchers will determine the resistance in water and heat, strength and durability of

HDPE Plastic and River Clay for making pavement bricks.

Specifically, this study sought answers to the following:

1. Do the resistance, strength, and durability of the product depend on the amount of
river clay to be added to the HDPE plastic?

2. Is there a correlation between the strength and durability?

3. Is there a significant difference between strength and durability?

1.3 Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study was mainly concerned with the utilization of high-density polyethylene

(HDPE) plastic and river clay as pavement bricks and determining its possibility to produce

pavement bricks that can be used for designing construction purposes like sideways, building

walkways, patios, and pool decks.

The researchers conducted this study to know if the HDPE Plastic and River Clay can be

a substitute for a pavement bricks design construction purposes and to know its differences in

terms of color, texture, durability, thickness, strength and quality.

1.4 Significance of the Study

This study is valuable and significant to:

Future Researchers. They can use this study as a basis and guide for producing

pavement bricks out of HDPE plastic and river clay. They can also use this study to produce

pavement bricks which are more natural and sell it that can help in boosting the economic

growth.

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Community. This study helps the community to produce pavement bricks with no harm

emission, natural and environmental-friendly. The community can also benefit from this study

because the utilization of waste HDPE plastic and river clay will reduce the amount of solid

waste and save the immediate communities from danger of flooding during heavy rains.

Environment. This study can be used to help the nature in protecting the environment by

making HDPE plastic and river clay out of pavement bricks. This serves as a way of recycling

waste materials that can be used to lessen the land and water pollution.

1.4 Definition of Terms

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Plastic is an incredibly sturdy and one of the safest

materials to use in making an alternative pavement brick. It will be melted and coupled with

river clay to make the bricks stronger and more durable.

River Clay is a clay that comes from the ground, usually in areas where streams or rivers

once flowed. It may be molded and dried to form a relatively hard solid when mixed with water

and can be used to make pavement bricks.

Pavement Bricks are bricks used in the construction of pavement surfaces or designing

construction purposes like sideways, building walkways, patios, and pool decks. These can be

made from HDPE plastic and river clay.

Resistance refers to the capability of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic and river

clay to endure drop tests, high temperature and hydraulic pressure.

Strength is the ability of the made alternative pavement bricks to withstand applied loads

without cracks or deformations.

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Durability refers to the potential of the pavement bricks made from high-density

polyethylene (HDPE) plastic and river clay to remain sturdy over time.

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