Nusantara Civil Engineering Journal
Vol 5 No 2 (2026): Nusantara Civil Engineering Journal (July - December 2026 - INPRESS)

Engineering Performance and Cost Evaluation of PET and LDPE-Based Plastic–Sand Interlocking Blocks for Sustainable Construction

Dauda Ali (Department of Architectural Technology, The Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Nigeria)
Auwal Shuaibu (Department of Civil Engineering Technology, The Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Nigeria)



Article Info

Publish Date
24 Jun 2026

Abstract

The increasing accumulation of plastic waste and the rising cost of conventional construction materials have necessitated the development of sustainable alternatives. This study investigates the production, performance, and economic viability of interlocking paving blocks made from waste Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) combined with sand. Plastic waste sourced from residential areas, campuses, and waste centers was processed and used as a complete binder in a plastic–sand composite at a ratio of 1:3. The produced blocks were tested for compressive strength and compared with conventional concrete interlocks. Results show that PET-based blocks achieved an average compressive strength of 4.65 N/mm², while LDPE blocks recorded 3.56 N/mm². A cost analysis revealed that plastic–sand interlocks are significantly cheaper (₦125 per unit) compared to conventional concrete blocks (₦195 per unit), representing a cost reduction of approximately 36%. The study demonstrates that plastic–sand interlocks offer economic, environmental, and waste management benefits, making them suitable for sustainable construction applications.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

nuce

Publisher

Subject

Civil Engineering, Building, Construction & Architecture

Description

Nusantara Civil Engineering Journal is the open-access peer-reviewed journal of civil engineering and environment. This journal is published by the Department of Civil Engineering, Balikpapan State Polytechnics, it has scopes and focuses in: 1. Road & Bridge Construction 2. Transportation System 3. ...