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This study determines the suitability of using shredded waste plastic and waste ceramic powder (WCP) to produce interlocking concrete blocks (ICB). The study adopted a concrete mix ratio of 1:2 containing 20 % partial replacement of sand with ceramic waste. The compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and water absorption of the interlocking concrete blocks were determined, after 7, 28, and 90 days of curing. The ICBs developed include mixes containing plastic fibres in proportions 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2% by weight of concrete, and a control mix with zero ceramic waste and plastic fibres. The microstructure and mineralogy of selected samples were observed using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and XRD (X-ray diffraction), respectively. From the result, compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of the interlocking concrete blocks increased with an increasing plastic fibre content. Also, the microscale tests revealed good compactness, and interparticle reactions in the matrix. Thus, the study recommends 2% of plastic fibre content for the production of interlocking concrete blocks.

Preliminary results of utilization of ceramic waste for the produce of ceramic mortars and concrete have been presented. Currently, ceramic wastes from the production of ceramic flower pots and covers are not used in any form. The chemical composition of this waste materials was determined using X-ray fluorescence (spectrometer ARL Advant 'XP). Cement mortar and concrete were made using CEM I 42.5 R. The results showed that the compressive strength (after 28 days) of cement mortar increased with the increase of size reduction of the ceramic waste. The highest compressive strength (increased by 5.0% compared to the control sample) was found for cement mortars in which waste pottery with fragmentation of less than 0.2 mm were used. These mortars also showed the highest frost resistance (after 150 freeze and unfreeze cycles), whereas the largest decrease the compressive strength (over 17%) after the frost resistance test showed samples of the cement mortar with the ceramics waste fragmentation in range 1.0-3.0 mm. Studies have also shown that the compressive strength of concretes increase with added the ceramic waste (10-30%) instead of natural aggregate. The highest compressive strength (approximately 12.3%) compared with the sample control show the concrete in which 30% of the natural aggregates were replaced by the ceramics waste. Furthermore, using up to 30% of ground ceramic in the concrete reduces its water absorption capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]