Diseño de mezclas para la elaboración de ladrillos ecológicos estabilizados con PET (Tereftalato de Polietileno)

Abstract

The present work was carried out with the purpose of defining the optimum composition of ecological bricks stabilized with PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) by means of a mix design. To obtain the mix design, the Statgraphics program was used, which established that ten different mixes should be made, each with two repetitions and a total of 30 bricks obtained. This procedure was carried out cold, that is, there was no firing process. Before making the mixtures, a correction was made in the amounts of water that the mixture of each brick should have, and with the correction it was possible to make the mixtures, which were placed in cubic specimens of 5*5 cm2, a molding pressure of 3,489 kPa was applied, then they were left to dry for 48 hours until they dried, then they were removed from the mold and a 28-day curing in water was carried out and finally they were dried in the environment for 3 days. The compressive strength test was performed on 30 bricks, where the brick that obtained the best result was number 10 (10% PET, 55% sand and 35% cement and water), with a value of 24.35 Mpa, this brick complied with the NTE INEN 294 standard. In conclusion, PET can be used as a stabilizer in the formulation of the brick, but it is important that the percentage of sand and water with cement be balanced, as this could affect the brick's strength. It is recommended that the particle diameter of PET should be similar to that of sand, i.e. fine aggregate, which means that it should range between 2.2 and 3.2 um, which will determine the stability, strength and homogeneity of the brick.