In the heart of Indonesia, researchers at Universitas Negeri Medan are turning trash into treasure, quite literally. Kinanti Wijaya, a dedicated scientist, has been leading a groundbreaking study that could revolutionize the way we think about construction materials and waste management. The focus? Rammed earth, an ancient building technique that’s making a modern comeback, now with a twist—plastic waste reinforcement.
Imagine this: a world where the plastic bottles and bags that clog our landfills and oceans are transformed into sturdy, sustainable building materials. That’s the vision driving Wijaya’s research, published in the Journal of Applied Engineering and Technological Science, which translates to the Journal of Applied Engineering and Technological Science in English. The study, titled “Development of Rammed Earth Material Technology by Utilizing Plastic Waste as Reinforcement on The Partition Walls of The Building Room,” explores the potential of incorporating plastic waste into rammed earth mixtures to enhance their strength and durability.
Rammed earth construction involves compacting a mixture of soil, aggregate, and sometimes stabilizers into durable walls. It’s eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and has been used for thousands of years. But what if we could make it even better? That’s where plastic waste comes in.
Wijaya and her team experimented with different concentrations of plastic waste in their rammed earth mixtures—0%, 1%, 3%, and 5%. After 30 days, they tested the samples for compressive and bending strength using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The results were promising. “We found that adding plastic waste can significantly increase the compressive strength of rammed earth,” Wijaya explains. “At 3% plastic concentration, we achieved a maximum compressive strength of 5.17 MPa, which is a substantial improvement.”
However, the story doesn’t end there. The researchers also discovered that too much of a good thing can be detrimental. When the plastic concentration exceeded 3%, the compressive and bending strength of the mixtures decreased dramatically. “It’s all about finding the right balance,” Wijaya notes. “Too little plastic, and you don’t see the benefits. Too much, and the material’s performance suffers.”
So, what does this mean for the future of construction and the energy sector? For one, it offers a sustainable solution to the global plastic waste problem. By incorporating plastic waste into building materials, we can reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills and oceans, contributing to a cleaner, greener planet.
Moreover, rammed earth construction is inherently energy-efficient. The materials used are locally sourced, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Plus, rammed earth walls provide excellent thermal mass, helping to regulate indoor temperatures and reduce the need for heating and cooling. This can lead to significant energy savings, a boon for both the environment and the energy sector.
But the potential benefits don’t stop there. This research could also drive innovation in the construction industry. As Wijaya’s study gains traction, we might see more architects and builders embracing rammed earth construction, leading to a surge in demand for plastic waste as a building material. This, in turn, could spur the development of new technologies and techniques for processing and incorporating plastic waste into construction materials.
In the broader context, this study is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary research. By bridging the gap between waste management and construction, Wijaya and her team are paving the way for a more sustainable future. Their work serves as a reminder that the solutions to our most pressing environmental challenges often lie at the intersection of different fields.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that the construction industry has a significant role to play in addressing the global plastic waste crisis. With pioneering research like Wijaya’s, we’re one step closer to turning trash into treasure and building a more sustainable world, one wall at a time.