Structural Evaluation of Lightweight Concrete Produced Using Waste Newspaper and Office Paper

Abstract

The construction industry consumes a large amount of non-renewable resources. On the other hand, more waste paper ends up in landfill or dump sites than those recycled. Consequently, recycling waste paper for use as a construction material constitutes a step towards sustainable development. This research effort aims at determining the density, water absorption capacity, compressive strength and fire resistance of papercrete produced using waste newspaper and office paper in order to ascertain their suitability for use as a building construction material. For each of the mix proportions considered, the bulk density, water absorption, compressive strength and fire resistance of papercrete made with newspaper were found to be higher than those made with office paper. The water absorption and fire resistance of papercrete were found to be high and increased with increasing waste paper content while the bulk density and compressive strength of papercrete were low and decreased with increasing waste paper content. Papercrete was recommended to be an effective and sustainable material for the production of lightweight and fire-resistant hollow or solid blocks to be used to make partition walls of especially high-rise buildings. Mix proportions were recommended for production of hollow and solid blocks using papercrete.

Keywords: green-construction, low-cost housing, recycling, sustainability, waste paper