Experimental Investigation of Concrete Masonry Units with Plastic Bottle Cores and PET Fibres

In construction industries, concrete masonry units are used commonly. Since the masonry units can be constructed with ease. Fifty billion plastic water/beverages bottles are consumed every year. The use of plastic bottles in construction materials has been around for the past twenty years, but with little focus on using full plastic bottles and PET fibers in the materials. This thesis presents the results of a study conducted to determine the compressive strength of concrete masonry units with plastic bottle cores and PET fibers. The plastic bottles were used to create the centre voids in the masonry units. Solid waste can be filled in plastic bottle for increase the compression strength of block. PET fibers used as partially replacement of fine aggregate. Concrete with 1%, 2%, 4% and 6% PET bottle fibers for fine aggregate were produced and compared against control mix with no replacement. Concrete was placed around the bottle to encase them in the masonry units. The study utilized 1000-mL plastic bottle from two different companies placed inside masonry units of 16-inch long by 8-inch wide by 8-inch high in size and analyzed the resultant compressive strength. The testing for compressive strength was determined according to the IS standard. Determination of the compressive strength of the concrete masonry units allows for further study to continue in concrete masonry units with plastic bottle cores to determine if they are viable in third world countries.