CHAPTER 1

ADVANTAGES OF USING USED PLASTIC, STYROFOAM AND COOKING OIL

THAT ARE MADE INTO BRICKS USED FOR CONSTRUCTING RESIDENTIAL
BUILDINGS

A. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The Philippines is believed to be one of the most beautiful countries in South East Asia.
However, the country’s image is tainted by a multitude of man-made problems; one of which is
poor garbage disposal. Every day, tons and tons of biodegradable and non-biodegradable
waste—most of it coming from the National Capital Region—end up in poorly facilitated
landfills. Take into account wastes that are not disposed properly, coupled with the country’s
climatic condition, and you have a recipe for disaster. Floods, communicable diseases, and pest
(rat, cockroach, mosquito, etc.) infestation are a few of the many consequences of high volumes
of waste and poor waste management. Sadly, most Filipinos, particularly those in the Metro, pass
these problems off as part of daily living.

From a larger perspective, effective waste management is something that many cities,
throughout the years, have been struggling to achieve—with only a few ever being remotely
successful. Many ordinances have been tried and tested, ranging from waste segregation schemes
to increased rounds of waste collection. But out of the multitude of waste management programs
developed, recycling seems to be the most viable option. Recycling non-biodegradable materials
is an effective way to not only reduce wastes that end up in landfills, but also to create something
functional. For instance, biodegradable waste can be recycled and turned into fertilizers that
farmers can use.

In the 29th day of May, 2012, the Marikina City Government, through its City
Environment Management Office (CEMO), has found a way to recycle some of the world’s
biggest source of waste problems: plastic and Styrofoam. The CEMO collected from its residents
plastic and Styrofoam materials, ranging from plastic bottles to Styrofoam food containers. Aside

1
from plastics, they also collected used cooking oil from homes and business establishments.
With the use of the City’s Material Recovery Facility, the collected wastes were turned into
landscaping bricks, to be used in future infrastructure projects. Marikina City’s project proved to
be an effective waste management solution—it lessened the City’s garbage bulk by two to three
tons a day.

However, from a construction point of view, the end product of this project—the
bricks—is still subject to extensive analysis. Given the overabundance of plastic products and
derivatives lying around landfills, bricks made from recycled plastic are already a promising
option as construction materials. The only question that remains is whether or not it is durable,
tensile, and strong enough to construct a sturdy and solid building—and that is what this study
aims to find out.

B. OBJECTIVES

This study attempts to determine the advantages in using used plastic, Styrofoam and
cooking oil that are made into bricks used for constructing residential buildings. Specifically this
study aims seek to:

1.) Identify the advantages in using used plastic, Styrofoam and cooking oil that are made
into bricks used for constructing residential buildings in terms of?

 Durability
 Longetivity

2
C. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

A building is only as good as the materials it’s made of. With poor materials, a building
could deteriorate quickly and easily, making it a threat to people’s safety. Given this dilemma
and in light of Marikina City Government’s recent breakthrough in creating bricks, this research
aims to answer the question: What are the advantages in using used plastic, Styrofoam and
cooking oil that are made into bricks used for constructing residential buildings? Furthermore,
this study seeks to answer the following:

1.) Identify the advantages in using used plastic, Styrofoam and cooking oil that are made
into bricks used for constructing residential buildings in terms of?

 Durability
 Longetivity

D. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

In any kind of construction, materials are always a major consideration; good materials,
yield good buildings. However, high-quality construction materials don’t come cheap. And with
rising economic pressures, the cost of construction materials has been steadily on the rise. In
light of this, it has been the collective goal of many to discover viable alternatives to the most
common materials used in construction. These alternatives should possess relatively the same
quality and durability to those of conventional materials, but at much lower price.

The results of this research study may be beneficial for the following:

To The Government – This research study can help the government to promote
recycling by using this bricks for government structures and establishments.

3
 To The Residents of Marikina – The results of this research study may give them
insights which could encourage them to plan more relevant projects designed to improve the
quality of structures in their community with the use of recycled materials.

Future Researchers – This study proves beneficial to future researchers as they can use
this study as a framework for a similar study the future researchers plan to conduct and gives
more idea about the effects of used cooking oil, Styrofoam and plastic.

E. SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

This study is delimited to the advantages in using used plastic, Styrofoam and cooking oil
that are made into bricks used for constructing residential buildings. This research will include
the residents in Marikina because they were the first to benefit from this project. This research
will also require the assistance of the Local Government of Marikina City in obtaining
information needed to accomplish its objectives.

F. LOCALE OF THE STUDY

This research is set only in the city of Marikina. Bricks made from recycled materials
started in Marikina, thus, researchers would like to focus on getting information in this area.
Surveyors and interviewees will be chosen from the residents of Marikina which has experienced
firsthand the usage of the bricks made from used plastic, Styrofoam and cooking oil.

G. DEFINITION OF TERMS

Plastic - A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic

solids that are moldable. Plastics are typically organic polymers of high molecular mass,
but they often contain other substances. They are usually synthetic, most commonly
derived from petrochemicals, but many are partially natural

4
Styrofoam - a trademarked brand of closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam currently made for
thermal insulation and craft applications. It is owned and manufactured by The Dow Chemical
Company. The word styrofoam refers to expanded (not extruded) polystyrene foam, such as
disposable coffee cups, coolers, or cushioning material in packaging, which are typically white
and are made of expanded polystyrene beads. The term is used generically although it is a
different material from the extruded polystyrene used for Styrofoam insulation. In India it is
known as thermocol.

Cooking oil - a plant, animal, or synthetic fat used in frying, baking, and other types of cooking.
It is also used in food preparation and flavoring that doesn't involve heat, such as salad dressings
and bread dips, and in this sense might be more accurately termed edible oil.

Compressive Strength Test - a test done to measure the capacity of a material or structure to
withstand loads tending to reduce size. It can be measured by plotting applied force against
deformation in a testing machine. Some material fracture at their compressive strength limit;
others deform irreversibly, so a given amount of deformation may be considered as the limit for
compressive load. Compressive strength is a key value for design of structures.

Tensile and Bending Test – used to evaluate the strength of solder joints or leads against
tugging or pushing. Pull tests are done in tension and shear tests in compression. Other materials
such as paper, plastic films and metal wire are submitted to tensile tests to verify their elasticity.
Bend tests are performed on printed circuit boards to assess the resistance of capacitors to
cracking.

5
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES ABOUT THE ADVANTAGES

OF USING USED STYROFOAM, PLASTIC AND COOKING OIL THAT ARE MADE
INTO BRICKS USED FOR CONSTRUCTING RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

1. BRIEF HISTORY OF BRICKS

Authorities believed that bricks have been used dating back to 7,000 years ago. Ealiest
bricks were called dried brick which means it was formed from clay-bearing earth or mud and
dried under the sun, until they were strong enough for use. Samarian is the oldest known
brickwork which was located between the Tigris and Euphrates. In civilizations, Traces lead first
to Mesopotamia. Fired bricks were used as early as 4,500 years ago in Indus Valley. On a larger
scale, Bricks were produced under the Western Zhou dynasty about 3,000 years ago.During the
Early Middle Ages, use of fired bricks became popular in the Northern Europe which lead the
adoption of Renaissance elements into brick building.

The production of bricks increased massively with the onset of Industrial Revolution. The
demand for this very basic building material was so greatthat commercial necessity dictated the
penal brick tax must be abolished. By that time, handmade bricks were decreasing while machine
processed bricks were increasing.Bricks can be made from variety of materials the most common
being clay but also calcium silicate and concrete.

"History of bricks."The history of bricks. Brien Walker, 17 Sept. 2007. Web. 30 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.propertydrum.com/articles/20090330_21>.

2. MATERIALS USED IN MAKING CONCRETE BRICKS

Concrete is a mixture of ordinary Portland cement, mineral aggregate (sand and stone chips)
and water. The water used in preparing the concrete serves two purposes:

6
(1) It combines with the cement to form a hardened paste
(2) It lubricates the aggregates to form a plastic and workable mass

The water that combines with the cement varies from about 22 to 28% of the total amount
of mixing water in concrete. Mineral aggregates (sand and stone chips) are normally divided into
two fractions based on their particle size. Aggregate particles passing through the No.4 or 4.7
mm Indian Standard sieve are known as fine aggregate. The particles retained on this sieve are
designated as coarse aggregate. Natural sand is often used as fine aggregate in cement concrete
mixture. Coarse aggregate are crushed stone chips. Crushed stone chips broken into particle sizes
passing through the 4.7 mm sieve may also be used as fine aggregate. The maximum size of the
coarse aggregate that may be used in cement concrete hollow blocks is 12.5 mm. However, the
particle size of the coarse aggregate should not exceed one third thickness of the thinnest web of
the hollow blocks. Ordinary Portland cement is the cementing material used in cement concrete
hollow blocks. Cement is the highest priced material per unit weight of the concrete. Hence, the
fine and coarse aggregates are combined in such proportions that the resulting concrete is
workable and has minimum cement content for the desired quality.

(Project Profile on Cement Concrete Hollow Blocks, Retrieved from

http://www.dcmsme.gov.in/reports/glass/HollowConcreteBlocks.pdf)

3. INTRODUCTION OF POLYSTYRENE

3.1. POLYSTYRENE

Plastics, one kind of polymer, are quite different in their composition and structure from
other materials, such as metals, their behaviour under stress and other conditions is likely to be
different from other materials. (Meritt F., Ricketts, J., 2001, Building Designs and Construction
Handbook 6thEdition , Singapore: McGraw Hill Book Co.)

A well- known multipurpose polymer is a Polystyrene (PS) that is used in varied

applications in rigid and foamed form. It is a petroleum-based plastic made from the styrene

7
monomer. Styrofoam is the trade name given to expanded polystyrene (EPS) which is used in
foam form for packaging as well as insulation in various industrial fields in the world. (Wilmot,
C. Mei B., 2005, Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 1801 Alexander Bell
Drive, ASCE Reston VA 20191-4400)

General purpose polystyrene (GPS) is clear and hard which is used in packaging,
laboratory ware, and electronics.The excellent physical and processing properties make
polystyrene suitable for a lot of applications than any other plastic (Bank L., 2002, Journal
Composites for Constructions, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Journal Dept. ASCE).
It is a vinyl polymer, which make up a large family of polymers that are made from vinyl
monomers containing C=C bonds. Polystyrene molecules possess long hydrocarbon backbone,
with a benzene ring linked to every other carbon atom. Styrene is used to produce polystyrene by
free radical polymerization.

On the basis of structure polystyrene can be classified into three forms. The polystyrene
containing all of the phenyl groups on one side is termed as isotactic polystyrene. If the phenyl
groups are randomly distributed then it is called atactic polystyrene. The free radical vinyl
polymerization process yields atactic polystyrene. The polystyrene containing phenyl groups on
alternating sides of the chain is described as syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS), which is highly
crystalline. It has the tendency to crystallize very quickly which gives it the favourable properties
of high melting temperature and chemical resistance. Structurally sPS can have more than one
crystalline form and it shows a complex polymorphic behaviour. Four main crystalline
modifications and several subforms of sPs are known (Saitoh et al., 2003; Gupper and Kazarian,
2005).

3.2. HISTORY OF POLYSTYRENE

Polystyrene was accidentally discovered by a German apothecary, called Eduard Simon,

in 1839. When his newly discovered chemical “Styrol” or “Styrol Oxide” which was an oily
substance he had isolated from a natural resin, hardened after a few days, he assumed it had
oxidised. In 1845, English chemist John Blyth and German chemist August Willhelm von

8
Hoffmann proved that the same reaction took place in the absence of oxygen, showing that it was
not oxidation. They named it “Metastyrol”. Then, in 1866, Marcelin Berthelot demonstrated that
the hard material was actually a polymer. The problem was that the monomer was too unstable
and tended to turn into the polymer before it should, preventing useful application of
polystyrene, as it came to be known in the mid-twentieth century.

A step forward was taken in 1922 when Dufraisse and Moureu found that the monomer
could be stabilised by adding small amounts of aromatic amines and phenols. This led to the use
of the reaction to study the mechanism of polymerisation through the 1920s. Eventually, work by
Herman Staudinger and Carl Wolff enabled the I.G Farben company in Germany to begin the
commercial manufacture of polystyrene in 1931. They developed a reactor vessel which
extruded polystyrene through a heated tube and cutter, producing the polymer in a pellet form
which is much easier to use.
(The History of Polystyrene, Retrieved from November 2013, http://suite101.com/a/the-history-
of-polystyrene-a125878)

3.3. SYNTHESIS OF POLYSTYRENE

The polystyrene synthesis begins by heating the natural gas or crude oil in a "cracking
process." The yield of ethylene is dependent on the cracking temperature and is more than 30%
at 850°C. The next step in polystyrene production is alkylation of benzene with ethylene to form
ethyl-benzene. Dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene forms styrene, which is then polymerized to
yield polystyrene. Polystyrene products are made by injection blow molding, extrusion, injection
stretch blow molding and thermoforming depending upon their applications. Extrusion and
injection molding is mostly used for clear, hard and brittle type of general purpose polystyrene
products. Extruded polystyrene foam is produced by extrusion in the form of sheets for
insulation in construction industry and other insulation purposes. Expanded polystyrene foam
products are mostly produced by thermoforming. (Wilmot, C. Mei B., 2005, Journal of
Construction Engineering and Management, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, ASCE Reston VA
20191-4400)

9
 3.4. USES OF POLYSTYRENE

a. Polystyrene is used in packaging, electronics, construction, house and medical ware and
disposable food services (Meenakshi et al., 2002).

b. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is used for protective packaging in electrical, pharmaceutical and
retail industries etc., because of light weight, shock resistance, cushioning properties, and
flexibility in design possibilities. Because of thermal insulation properties, EPS is used in cold
rooms, refrigeration and building insulation (Kannan et al., 2009).

c. End-functionalized polystyrene act as lubricants and polymeric surfactants because they

modify the wetting behaviour of surfaces (Park et al., 2008).

d. Organic crystals such as polystyrene coated Meta-nitroaniline have their uses in optical
devices (Adhyapak et al., 2008).

e. Polymeric material with a biomolecule is used for the manufacture of biosensors, bioreactors
and in the medical field (Hagiwara et al., 2008).

f. Polystyrene is commonly used for cell culture (Shim et al., 2008).

g. It is used in disposable Petri plates and other biomedical containers for its optical
transparency, durability and cost effectiveness, inert nature and nontoxicity. When a polymer
matrix is mixed with inorganic nanoparticles, the thermal, mechanical, optical, electrical,
magnetic and flammability properties of such a nanocomposite are much different from the
polymer matrix itself (Manzi-Nshuti et al., 2009)

10
 3.5. POLYSTYRENE AS A MATERIAL IN MAKING BRICKS FOR
CONSTRUCTION

Insulated Concrete Forms or ICF is a type of form work for concrete which stays in place
for permanent building insulation for energy-efficiency, reinforced concrete walls, floors and
roofs. These forms are interlocking like Lego blocks and assembled dry (no mortar) and filled
with concrete. ICF is being manufactured any of the following materials; Polystyrene foam,
Polyurethane foam, Cement-bonded wood fiber or Cement-bonded polystyrene beads. Concrete
is then pumped into the cavity and in most cases reinforcement is added to give the concrete
flexural strength. After the concrete is dried the forms are left in place for the following reasons;
thermal and acoustic insulation, space to run electrical and plumbing and a backing for gypsum
boards on the interior and stucco, brick or other siding on the exterior (Bank L., 2002, Journal
Composites for Constructions, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Journal Dept. ASCE).

Polystyrene is a material that is used in a number of applications, including polystyrene

bricks. As a lightweight material, polystyrene bricks are very easy to handle. Unlike other façade
materials that can be somewhat difficult to manage when working with intricate designs, bricks
of this type can easily be moved into place and secured without a great deal of effort. This is
particularly helpful, since it is possible to position a large number of the bricks within easy reach
without adding a lot of weight to ladders or scaffolding during the actual application.

Along with the ease of use and light weight of the polystyrene bricks, the products also
possess hygienic properties that make them popular. The nature of the material makes it resistant
to the growth of mold and mildew as well as other forms of bacteria. At the same time, the
surface is tough, making it easy to clean the bricks with relatively little effort. The end result is a
façade that wears well over the years and can be kept in close to pristine condition with a
minimum of effort.(Construction Technology 4th Edition, Great Britain: Dorset Press)

With the unique characteristics of the polystyrene blocks, buildings can be constructed
faster and cheaper than normal brick and mortal buildings from one storey to multi-storey. The
blocks can be used in residential, industrial and commercial construction projects. Since rotting

11
is not a problem, basements can be constructed with the use of the blocks filled with concrete
and rebars. (Meritt F., Ricketts, J., 2001, Building Designs and Construction Handbook 6th
Edition, Singapore: McGraw Hill Book Co.)

The polystyrene blocks are stacked and then the forms are filled with concrete. Building
with blocks is a lot like building with the toy blocks. Once in place the blocks are used to give
structure. As soon as the concrete is casted in the blocks, stability is gained. Rebars are placed in
the foam blocks before the concrete is casted. The steel bars are used for reinforcement of the
structure.

A specific method is used for the filling of the polystyrene blocks to prevent overflow or
too much expansion. Once the concrete has become firmer, the units can be left in the exact spot.
As such the foam structures are used as empty bricks and then filled with concrete. The
polystyrene is not removed afterwards simply because the material forms a sound insulation as
well as act as thermal insulation. Electrical wiring and plumbing pipes can be inserted in the
polystyrene. This ensures quicker installation of electricity and plumbing pipes in a building.

With the interlocking polystyrene block system an exceptionally strong, yet, well
insulated building can be constructed faster than is possible with the normal brick and mortar
method. The steel connectors ensure flexible reinforcement of the structure.
(Wilmot, C. Mei B., 2005, Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 1801
Alexander Bell Drive, ASCE Reston VA 20191-4400)

4. MAKING BRICKS FROM USED COOKING OIL, PLASTICS AND STYROFOAM

The city government of Marikina city, through the City Environmental Management
Office (CEMO), is currently collecting wastes like used styrofoam and plastic through its
Material Recovery Facility as well as used cooking oil from households, eateries, and fast food
restaurants.

12
 The collected styrofoam and plastic shall undergo the process of shredding or grinding
which will be melted afterwards in heated used cooking oil through the Styro/Plastic Densifier
machine.
"PIA | Marikina's paving blocks help solve styrofoam waste." PIA | Marikina's paving blocks
help solve styrofoam waste. N.p., 26 Apr. 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2013.
<http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=241335405192>.

5. ADVANTAGES OF USING BRICKS FROM USED COOKING OIL, PLASTICS

AND STYROFOAM

Since polystyrene bricks are often made of recycled materials, this helps to make the
products a sound choice for anyone who wants to keep the home as environmentally friendly as
possible. Since the materials are recyclable even after years of use, they can be removed and
used to create new polystyrene products in the future. (Construction Technology 4th Edition,
Great Britain: Dorset Press)

Sometimes used for the creation of visually appealing façades for a fraction of the cost of
regular bricks, the product also provides a number of other benefits that help to save money.
Advantages such as ease of handling, minimization of bacteria growth and the moisture-resistant
qualities of the polystyrene bricks make the products well worth consideration. (Meritt F.,
Ricketts, J., 2001, Building Designs and Construction Handbook 6thEdition , Singapore:
McGraw Hill Book Co.)

Cost and time savings are two of the most important considerations in the building
industry. When building with block system it is possible to save on labour, time taken to
complete the project and the overall construction costs.

The long term benefits of energy saving cannot be overstated. Environmental regulations
will become stricter in future and by building with polystyrene blocks, companies can ensure
that their buildings will meet environmental regulation requirements for sound pollution, energy
saving, and recycle value of the materials used. (Bank L., 2002, Journal Composites for
Constructions, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Journal Dept. ASCE)

13
Other advantages of using bricks from used materials for construction are the following:

 Extremely strong structure.

 Completed buildings are energy efficient as less heat escapes.
 Ensures lower sound emission from activities in a building.
 Fire safe materials ensure safer buildings.
 Environmentally friendly and clean method of construction.
 Show high wind resistance.
 Mould and insect infestations are eliminated.
 Recycled materials can be used to minimize the environmental footprint.
 Cheaper building method makes it a suitable alternative to normal brick buildings.
 Minimizes the risk of leakages.
 Long lifespan.
 The foam structures can be recycled.
 Improved comfort with minimal air leakage.
 Increases the sales value of a home or building.
 No rotting because of damp weather.
 Significant building management savings in terms of heat, airflow, and fire safety.
(Construction Technology 4th Edition, Great Britain: Dorset Press)

1. POLYSTYRENE BRICKS DURABILITY

Polystyrene when manufactured from a fire retardant raw material and are not an undue
fire hazard when correctly installed. The polystyrene will burn when in contact with flame, but
will self extinguish when the fire source is removed. The lightweight polystyrene particles are
found to enhance the durability of concrete when it is either subjected sulphate attack or free-
thaw cycles. The polystyrene particles have a neglible water absorption capacity due to its closed
cellular structure

14
 2. FOREIGN STUDIES

 Introduction

In concrete structures, a major problem in terms of durability is that the steel bars and
tendons are vulnerable to corrosion. One pf the most promising development to overcome this
problem is the use of fiber-reinforced polymer as a reinforcement or pre-stressing tendon in
concrete structures. FRP reinforcement or tendons consist of aligned continuous fibers, mainly
carbon (CFRP), aramid (AFRP), r glass, embedded in a resin matrix such as epoxy, polyester or
vinyl ester by pultrusion process. There are many advantages of FRP over steel as reinforcement
or tendons. The high strength and low density of FRP results in a specific strength that is 10-15
times higher than that of steel. CFRP and AFRP have good fatigue strength, as much as three
times that of steel. They also have good corrosion resistance. Their low thermal expansion gives
another advantage in widely varying climatic conditions. Other advantages are their
electromagnetic neutrality, high resistance against abrasion and excellent chemical resistance.
These properties can lead to maintenance-free durable concrete structures. FRP is easy to handle
in construction due to its light weight. There are a number of manufacturers producing FRP
reinforcements and tendons.

However, to fully utilize the potential of FRP, it is necessary to investigate its properties,
particularly the long-term properties of FRP and its ability to transfer the pre-stressing forceto
concrete.

 Experimental Program

Testing on FRP Properties

In order to grip the FRP tendons without slippage during testing, Steel pipe 500 mm long
was placed at each end of the tendon and filled with expansive cement material. Tensile tests,
creep tests, and relaxation tests were carried out. In the tensile tests, the tensile strength, elastic
modulus, and stress-strain relationship of the tendons were evaluated. An extensometer was used

15
to monitor the strain of a tendon while a dial gauge was used to monitor the movement of the
cross head of the test machine. The extensometer was removed at a loading level of 90% of the
guaranteed tensile strength to avoid damage, because the failure of FRP was relatively brittle
without any yielding.

Testing rig, which uses a lever arm principle, was designed and used to carry out the
creep test. The dead load in the form of steel plates was applied to the tendon through a lever arm
with an arm ratio of 1 to 14. Two extensometers were used to measure the tendon strain. The
sustained stress levels were between 40 and 70% of the guaranteed tensile strength and were
maintained for a period of at least 1,000 hours. The tests were carried out under normal room
temperature and humidity conditions. The creep strain of FRP tendons was measured and the
creep coefficient was then derived.

Tests were also carried out to evaluate the relaxation of FRP. Each test lasted at least
1,000 hours as commonly specified by codes of practice. The tests were carried out in a
controlled room with a constant temperature of 23+/- 1 degree Celsius and a humidity of 50%.
The stress level applied to the tendon was about 50% of the guaranteed tensile of prestess was in
the range of 75-125 kN. Two Leadline rods, 8 mm in diameter, with double fiber spiral
indentation on the surface were used. Two beams with two 9.3 mm- diameter steel seven-wire
strands were also cast for comparison purpose. An 8-m long prestressing bed and th position of
demec targets glued at the ends of the beams for measuring the concrete strains at this region.
(Bank L., 2002, Journal Composites for Constructions, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Journal Dept.
ASCE)

16
 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The researchers employed descriptive-qualitative method, which studies condition as they

exist, to determine the advantages of using used plastic, Styrofoam and cooking oil that are made
into bricks used in constructing residential buildings.

Respondents/Participants

The participants in this survey were the engineers that are assigned in the project of
Marikina Local Government that is making recycled materials into bricks. The participants were
surveyed to determine the advantages in using used plastic, Styrofoam, and cooking oil that are
made into bricks used for constructing residential buildings.

Sampling Technique

The researchers have carefully chosen civil engineers which have more than 5 years of
experience in construction. The researchers believe that they have the knowledge needed to
answer the prepared survey.

Data Gathering Procedure

This procedure discusses the strategies we used in assessing the advantages of using used
plastic, Styrofoam and cooking oil that are made into bricks used in constructing residential
buildings.

17
Research Instruments

The researchers constructed survey questionnaires to gather opinion of our topic from the
city engineers of Marikina. We also did a focus group discussion to gain deeper understanding.
Books from our school library were used.

Statistical Treatment

The researchers employed frequency distribution to discuss the results of our survey in
percentage format. The researchers sought the help of the engineers that are assigned in the
project of Marikina Local Government that is making recycled materials such as used plastic,
Styrofoam, and cooking oil into bricks.

18
 CHAPTER IV

PRESENTATION, REPRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

This Chapter includes the presentation, interpretation and analysis of data gathered in
relation to the findings of the study. The first part is a survey for the civil engineers to determine
specific data from their field of specialty. The second part is an interview with an official of the
CEMO.

I. SURVEY QUESTIONAIRE

A. COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

In determining the strength of materials needed for constructing residential buildings, the
engineers were asked about the required minimum compressive strength of the materials set by
the National Building Code of the Philippines.

Among the 10 respondents, two (2) answered 1000 Psi which composed of 20% of the
respondents’ size. Five (5) answered 3000 Psi which composed of 50% of the respondents’ size.
One (1) answered 5000 Psi which composed of 10% of the respondents’ size. And lastly, two (2)
answered Others which composed of 20% of the respondents’ size.

B. Longetivity

In determining on how long the structures would last until it needs renovation, the
participants were asked about the longetivity of residential buildings made of concrete.

Among the 10 respondents, one (1) answered 20 Years which composed of 10% of the
respondents’ size. Nine (9) answered More Than 20 Years which composed of 50% of the
respondents’ size.

19
 C. Degree of Difficulty

In determining the degree of difficulty when used on construction, the respondents were
asked of which they think is harder to use.

Among the 10 respondents, four (4) answered Materials made from plastic which
composed of 40% of the respondents’ size. Six (6) answered Materials made from concrete
which composed of 50% of the respondents’ size

D. Type of Construction

In determining the type of construction (in terms of fireproofing), the respondents were
asked what type will the materials made from plastic be categorized as.

Among the 10 respondents, seven (7) answered Type I which is composed of 70% of the
respondents’ size. One (1) answered Type II which composed of 10% of the respondents’ size.
One (1) answered Type III which composed of 10% of the respondents’ size. One (1) answered
Type IV which composed of 10% of the respondents’ size.

In constructing any kind of structure, either residential or commercial, there is a specific

requirement set by the National Building Code of the Philippines before it is permitted to be
constructed. In this survey, the researchers asked a series of questions to determine the
advantages in using used plastic, Styrofoam, and cooking oil that are made into bricks used for
constructing residential buildings in terms of their durability and longetivity. For the strength of
the bricks used residential buildings, half of the respondents answered that the required strength
should be 3000 Psi so that it would durable enough to carry heavy loads. For the longetivity of
structures made of concrete, 90% answered that the structures made of concrete would last for
more than 20 years.

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II. INTERVIEW WITH A CEMO OFFICIAL

Q1: Can it be used as a load bearing material?

ANSWER: “No, it is only use for light materials or designs for example, the path walk in our
park.”

The interviewee would like to emphasize that the bricks that is made of used plastic
Styrofoam and cooking oil cannot be substituted as load bearing material for structures.

Q2: Did it undergo tests for materials like Compressive Strength Test?

ANSWER: “No, because it cannot be substituted to Hollow blocks. It is really for recycling
purposes only. It is only used for park and it is not available in the market yet. The main
objective of this project is to lessen plastic, Styrofoam and cooking oil instead to end up in the
landfill and process it to be useful things.”

The interviewee mentioned that the bricks made from recycled materials cannot be
substituted to hollow blocks. Clearly, the main purpose of making this material is to lessen the
trash in the dump sites in Marikina.

Q3: What is the composition of the brick?

ANSWER: “The composition of plastic, Styrofoam and cooking oil have a certain amount of
ratio. That is 20 kilos of Styrofoam, 1 kilogram of plastic, 10 kilos of used cooking oil (10
Liters) This ratio will produce about 20-30 bricks but it also depends on the size of the bricks.”

The interviewee discusses about the composition of the introduced bricks and its ratio. 20
kilos of Styrofoam and 1 kilo of plastic are a very big deduction to the wastes that are being sent
to dumpsites. The number of bricks that will be created will vary due to the sizes of the bricks
that will be made.

21
Q4: Are there any impact in collecting Styrofoam, plastic and cooking oil? Is there any big
differences?

ANSWER: “So far, yes, it has a great factor usually if there is a storm/flood there would be a
clean-up drive and you can see them floating around at Marikina and we just collect it and be a
big factor for the environment.”

The interviewee pointed out that after they started the project, floods in Marikina have
lessened and this is due to the clean-up drive they retrieve plastics and styrofoams to prevent
them from clogging the drainages.

Q5: Can it stay longer?

ANSWER: “Yes, if only light materials will be stepping on the bricks.”

The interviewee explained that the bricks will last long if it would only carry a little load.
Humans and animals are examples of loads it can carry. Cars, trucks and buses are the example
of loads it could not carry and it may cause it to break into pieces.

Q6: Is this durable to the weather?

ANSWER: “Yes. Since it is made of plastic, it is also durable.”

The interviewee agrees that the bricks made from Styrofoam, plastic and cooking oil are
durable to weather. Some of the bricks that they have used in their parks is the proof that these
bricks are durable to weather.

Q7: Can it be used for Residential purposes?

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ANSWER: “For designing and finishing purposes only but for load bearing or substitute for
CHB’s, it is not possible.

The interviewee stated that the bricks made of used Styrofoam, plastic and cooking oil
cannot be substituted for bricks used in constructing residential buildings because it is not as
durable as concrete.

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 CHAPTER V

SUMMARY

Dump sites in the Philippines is continuously piling up and it became the number one
reason for flooding in most areas of the country. Most of these trashes are plastics. However, the
Marikina City found a way to lessen the dumping of plastics through recycling. With the help of
the city’s Materials Recovery Facility, the collect used Styrofoam, plastic and cooking oil and
turn them into bricks. But it is still unclear whether these bricks are durable enough to be used
for residential buildings.

The researchers have chosen to study the advantages in using used plastic, Styrofoam,
and cooking oil that are made into bricks used for constructing residential buildings. The
researchers started the research for information through libraries and the World Wide Web.
Books, Journals and magazines became sources were used as references. These sources were
then included in the research paper using the APA format. But the researchers believe that the
gathered information is still not enough to fulfill the objectives of the research. A questionnaire
is then composed to reach the objectives and a survey and an interview with the engineers of the
City Environment Management Office (CEMO) in Marikina is conducted.

All the data gathered is then subjected to qualitative analysis to reach its objectives.
Hence, the researchers reached a Conclusion and a Recommendation.

24
 FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

According to the gathered information from the survey, interview and research through
different sources, the researchers obtained:

1. The minimum compressive strength requirement for materials used for residential
buildings is 3000 Pounds per square inch (Psi).

2. Structures made of concrete will last for more than 20 years.

3. Materials made from concrete are harder to use in construction.

4. Bricks made from used plastic, Styrofoam and cooking oil is considered a Type I
construction.

5. Bricks made from used plastic, Styrofoam and cooking oil can only used for light
materials or designs

6. There is a specific ratio for the bricks which is 20 kilos of Styrofoam, 1 kilo of plastic, 10
liters of used cooking oil

7. Bricks made from used plastic, Styrofoam and cooking oil will stay longer if it would
only carry a small amount of weight or load.

8. Bricks made from used plastic, Styrofoam and cooking oil are durable to any type of
weather because its main component is plastic.

From the findings enumerated, the researchers have concluded:

1. Bricks made from used Styrofoam, plastic and cooking oil are durable but not enough to
be used for residential buildings.

2. Bricks made from used Styrofoam, plastic and cooking oil can only be used for small
load bearing structures like path walks and designs for the exterior walls of the house (but
not as an actual wall).

25
3. Using used Styrofoam, plastic and cooking oil is an effective way to lessen the garbage
sent to the dump sites.

4. Bricks made from used Styrofoam, plastic and cooking oil could last long (more than 5
years) if it is not subjected to heavy load.

26
 RECOMMENDATION

In line with the conclusions reached, the researchers have come up with a list of
recommendations from the objectives:

For the Local Government of Marikina

 Encourage other cities in the country to start a project like this to reduce the amount of
plastics that clogged their drainages.

 Increase the production and start selling it to the market with a considerable amount.

For the Residents of Marikina

 Continue supporting the recycling project of the CEMO

 Help the Marikina Local Government in promoting the bricks made from used plastic,
Styrofoam and cooking oil by using it on their backyards.

27
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

"History of bricks."The history of bricks. Brien Walker, 17 Sept. 2007. Web. 30 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.propertydrum.com/articles/20090330_21>.

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http://www.dcmsme.gov.in/reports/glass/HollowConcreteBlocks.pdf

Meritt F., Ricketts, J., 2001, Building Designs and Construction Handbook 6thEdition ,
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Wilmot, C. Mei B., 2005, Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 1801
Alexander Bell Drive, ASCE Reston VA 20191-4400

Bank L., 2002, Journal Composites for Constructions, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Journal Dept.
ASCE

(Saitoh et al., 2003; Gupper and Kazarian, 2005).

The History of Polystyrene, Retrieved from November 2013, http://suite101.com/a/the-history-of-
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Wilmot, C. Mei B., 2005, Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 1801
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Construction Technology 4th Edition, Great Britain: Dorset Press

Meritt F., Ricketts, J., 2001, Building Designs and Construction Handbook 6th Edition, Singapore: McGraw
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Wilmot, C. Mei B., 2005, Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 1801
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Marikina's paving blocks help solve styrofoam waste. N.p., 26 Apr. 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2013.
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Bank L., 2002, Journal Composites for Constructions, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Journal Dept.
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29