Study of the Thermomechanical Behavior of the Compressed Earth Bloc When Adding Plastic Bag Slices

Plastic waste management is a complex problem that has negative effects on the environment, society, and the economy. The development of science has made humanity use plastic materials a lot, and because it does not cost to manufacture and is recyclable, it is used in most industries. Plastic contains polyethylene, most of it does not biodegrade and remains in the environment for long periods, and its abundant accumulation leads to many environmental and health hazards to humans. This research, which aims to recycle plastic bags in the field of construction, is of utmost importance in addressing the pressing issue of plastic waste management. The plastic will likely increase the durability of structures mechanically and increase thermal insulation. In this research, the plastic bag segments are integrated in a ratio of 0% to 0.7% in the compressed clay bricks. Which consists of sand, clay, and gypsum. Some physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the samples are measured. Preliminary results show that the addition of these strips reduces the value of the bulk density between 3.21% to 13%. The speed of sound transmission also decreases between 2.17% and 21%. The stress strength increases between 5.4% to 25.53%. The thermal conductivity value also decreases between 5.26% to 23.68%. This leads to the clay brick becoming lighter, more solid, and better thermal insulation. Thus, we combine the improvement of the properties of clay structures with a significant reduction in environmental impact, inspiring a more sustainable future.