Recycling Plastic for Soil Improvement

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Questions and Answers

What effect does the inclusion of plastic waste chips have on the shear strength of sandy soil?

It does not affect the shear strength.

It decreases the shear strength significantly.

It improves the shear strength due to increased friction. (correct)

It complicates the measurement of shear strength.

What was the main aim of the research regarding plastic waste chips?

To determine the economic feasibility of plastic waste.

To assess the biological degradation of plastic in soil.

To analyze the environmental impact of plastic waste.

To investigate shear strength and penetration resistance. (correct)

Which parameter was notably affected by the inclusion of plastic waste material in sand, according to the findings?

The particle density of the sand.

The void ratio of the soil.

The moisture content of the soil.

The internal friction angle and cohesion value. (correct)

What condition was the sand subjected to before the laboratory tests were conducted?

It was kept in an oven at 110 degrees Celsius for 24 hours. Signup and view all the answers

What does the direct shear test determine when conducted on reinforced sand?

The shear strength parameters. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of using polyethylene fibers from plastic waste in soil reinforcement?

They enhance the stress-strain response of sands. Signup and view all the answers

In soil classification, what analysis was performed to determine the particle sizes of the sand used in the study?

Sieve analysis. Signup and view all the answers

What general conclusion was made about plastic waste as fiber reinforcement in soil?

It enhances the strength and stability of soils. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of the study regarding plastic waste?

To use plastic waste as a reinforcing material for sandy soil Signup and view all the answers

Which percentage of plastic waste was found to be optimum for enhancing shear strength and CBR number?

0.75% Signup and view all the answers

What laboratory tests were conducted to assess the effects of plastic waste on sand properties?

Direct shear box and California Bearing Ratio tests Signup and view all the answers

What effect did plastic waste reinforcement have on the penetration resistance of the sand?

It improved the penetration resistance Signup and view all the answers

At what relative density states were the soil improvement tests conducted?

30% and 60% Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key benefits of using plastic waste as a soil reinforcement material?

It improves shear strength and CBR number Signup and view all the answers

Why is the recycling of plastic waste considered a challenge worldwide?

Plastic waste contributes significantly to environmental pollution Signup and view all the answers

How did the addition of plastic waste affect the improvement of sand compared to natural soil?

The improvement increased to at least 9% Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of plastic chips was used in the study to determine shear strength?

0.75% Signup and view all the answers

Which method is suggested for future studies to explore plastic waste in soil?

Using different percentages and sizes of plastic waste Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following aspects was NOT addressed in the study regarding soil reinforcement?

Cost-effectiveness of materials Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated as important for assessing the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced sand?

Combination of shear strength and CBR values Signup and view all the answers

Which technique did the authors NOT mention in the context of soil testing?

Field core sampling Signup and view all the answers

In the context of soil reinforcement, what role does the optimal percentage of plastic chips play?

It influences shear strength and resistance to penetration Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental aspect of soil mechanics is emphasized by the use of waste plastic in soil reinforcement?

Environmental sustainability Signup and view all the answers

Which property is typically affected when incorporating plastic materials into soil?

Improvement in tensile strength Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

### Recycling Plastic for Soil Improvement

The research focused on recycling plastic water bottles as a reinforcement material for improving sandy soil.
Tests were carried out on natural and reinforced sands, with varying percentages (0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1.0%) of plastic waste added to the dry weight of the sand.
Two relative density states were analyzed: 30% and 60%.
The tests used were Direct Shear Box and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests.
The results indicated that plastic waste reinforcement improved the shear strength and CBR number of the reinforced sand.
The optimum percentage of plastic waste for enhancing these properties was found to be 0.75%.
At the optimum percentage, the improvement in shear strength and penetration resistance in the reinforced sand increased by at least 9% compared to natural soil in both relative density states (30% and 60%).

### Plastic Waste as Construction Material

Plastic bottles are becoming more popular, with a reported 500% increase in their usage over the past decade.
The research used plastic waste chips as reinforcement material.
Other studies have focused on using polyethylene fibers extracted from plastic wastes for reinforcing both cemented and uncemented sands.
The research aimed to investigate the effect of introducing plastic waste chips with varying percentages on the shear strength and penetration resistance of sand with different relative densities.

### Strengths of Reinforced Soil

The inclusion of plastic waste chips improved the shear strength of the sandy soil due to increased friction between soil particles and the plastic waste.
Plastic waste reinforcement also increased the cohesion value of the soil.
Increased friction angles and cohesion values improve the soil's strength and stability.

### Future Research

Further studies are needed to investigate the effect of different percentages and sizes of plastic waste on the CBR values.
The research focused on the optimum percentage for shear strength, but further analysis is needed to determine if 0.75% is also optimal for penetration resistance.

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Description

This quiz explores the use of recycled plastic water bottles as a reinforcement material to improve sandy soil. It discusses various tests conducted on reinforced sands and presents findings on the optimum percentage of plastic waste for enhancing soil properties. Discover how plastic waste can contribute to sustainable construction practices.