Utilization of Compact Discs as an Aggregate in Concrete Masonry Unit (Hollow Commented [1]: Ibutang nato nih kung sa stone ta

mupuli pero kung dile kay sa sand

Block) Production

Name of Students:Alexander Vaugn Villasis (Team Leader), Arkhane Sebastian

Rodriguez, and Francis Angelo Geyrozaga

Proposed start and end date: January 26 - July 2019

A.) Problem being Addressed

In the year 1983, compact discs were introduced internationally and became the

fastest-growing home entertainment product in history making compact discs a huge

part of technological advancement selling over 2.5 billion compact discs in the early

2000’s [1][2]. After the rise of the MP3 players, CD sales nearly halved between 2000

and 2007, making it more obsolete every year [3]. Nowadays, most unwanted compact

discs end up in landfills or incinerators that can take 1 million years to decompose

making it a contributor to plastic pollution and it can also pollute groundwater due to its

difficulty in recycling resulting to a whole host of human health problems [4][5].Compact

discs are mostly made out of polycarbonate plastic [6]. Polycarbonate plastic is a

transparent plastic found in CDs which has an outstanding strength, and impact

resistance. It can also withstand extreme temperatures for prolonged periods of time [7].

Compact disc is a #7 plastic which contains BPA (Bisphenol A) that can be very

destructive to women of reproductive age and young children. The hazardous chemicals

present in CD’s can seep underground when it rains and indirectly affect groundwater

quality [8]. Many options are being tested out on recycling CD’s that are environmentally

responsible but due to being a #7 plastic, it requires specialized companies to facilitate

in recycling CD’s [9][10]. Despite the recycling options, the problem will aggravate due

to low public awareness and participation on proper recycling of compact discs [11].

Construction development has been developing for the past few years. With all

the construction development happening, there is also an increasing demand for

construction materials with an array of different materials namely water, sand, cement

and its highest constituent, aggregates. With this increasing demand comes an

increasing cost for these materials. However, due to this continuous usage of materials

can lead to supply shortage in the future. One of the most important materials in the

construction is the concrete because no project can be completed without this

substance. With high demand but low supplies of these aggregates will greatly lead to

problems in its prices and as well its supply. But to avoid these problems, using other

alternative materials should be considered for sustainable development. We know that

CDs are abundant not only here in the Philippines, but also in other countries around

the world. This comes up with the idea of partial replacement of compact discs as

coarse aggregates. In this process, we will inspect the physical and mechanical

properties of the modified concrete masonry unit with different ratios of 10%,20%,and

30% constituting by the mass of the coarse aggregate material along with the

commercial concrete masonry unit .

B.) Goals
1.) To create concrete blocks with different ratios of partial replacement of compact
discs as coarse aggregates.
 2.) To inspect the physical and mechanical properties of the modified concrete
masonry unit with different ratios(10%,20%,30%) constituting by mass of the
coarse aggregate material with the control group(Commercial Concrete Masonry
Units) through different tests such as compression strength testing, water
absorption rate testing and unit weight and moisture content testing.
3.) To observe the color and surface voids of the modified concrete masonry unit
with different ratios(10%,20%,30%) constituting by mass of the coarse aggregate
material with the control group(Commercial Concrete Masonry Units).
4.) To determine the most effective ratio of partial replacement of compact discs as
a coarse aggregate for concrete masonry units.

C.) Procedures
C.1) Collection of CD’s
The researchers will collect discarded CD’s from the vicinity of the
community near DRANHS and the experimental site. Only two types of CDs will be
collected to the mentioned areas, which are the DVD and Blu-ray CDs. These two types
of CDs that are commonly used nowadays have almost the same characterization such
as their size and compositions. [12]

C.2) Preparation of the Experimental Groups

The collected CD’s will be shredded and then washed to remove residue,
labels and other contaminants. After shredding it will be turned into flakes using a
granulator.[13] The aggregate shall conform to the applicable requirements of DPWH
Standard Specification for Item 1046 Section 1046.2.2.1.[E]

C.3) Mixing with the Standard Cement Mixture

The mixing procedure of the standard cement mixture will conform to the
specifications of DPWH Standard Specification for Item 1046 Section 1046.3.1.1 with
few modifications.[F] Four batches of standard cement mixture will be prepared wherein
the first batch the additive will constitute 10% by mass of the coarse aggregate material.
On the second batch the additive will constitute 20% by mass of the coarse aggregate
material. On the third batch the additive will constitute 30% by mass of the coarse
aggregate. Lastly, the fourth batch will follow the standard procedure on creating
Concrete Masonry Units to be our control group. Each batch shall produce 20 blocks to
be prepared for testing.
 C.4) Moulding Procedure of the Cement Mixture
The moulding procedure of the cement mixture will conform to the
specifications of DPWH Standard Specification for Item 1046 Section 1046 3.1.2. It will
be facilitated by our qualified scientist and mentor. [G]
C.5) Hardening and Curing Process
After the molding procedure, the hardening and curing process shall
conform to the specifications of DPWH Standard Specification for Item 1046 Section
1046.3.1.3. It will be facilitated by our qualified scientist and mentor. [H]
C.6) Compression Test
All specimens shall be tested in accordance with ASTM C140, Standard
Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units
conforming to the specifications of DPWH Standard Specifications for Item 1046
Section 1046.3.1.7. [I]
C.7) Unit Weight Testing, Moisture Content and Water Absorption Testing
All specimens shall be tested in accordance with ASTM C426, Standard
Test Methods for Linear Drying Shrinkage of Concrete Masonry Units conforming to the
specifications of DPWH Standard Specifications for Item 1046 Section 1046.3.1.7. [I]
C.8) Porosity and Color Observation
The samples will be broken apart and qualitative observations (Surface
Voids and Hollow Block Colors) will be listed using a hand lens.
C.9) Disposal
Since the crushed hollow block is considered as solid waste material
according to Environmental Health Safety (EHS), Solid Waste Disposal Procedures
should be followed. The first step is Setting up the pail for Lab use. Second is the
addition of waste to the pail considering the permissible waste only. Third is Preparing
the Pail for EHS waste collection. And lastly is Transferring Waste Pails to EHS.[13]

D.) Risk and Safety

Researchers must always be supervised by an adult when experimenting.
In molding of the cement mixture, researchers must be provided with MSDS
(Material Safety Data Sheets) of every type of substance they’re working with.
They must wear face shields and safety goggles when opening and filling the
injection equipment [D]. In grinding of the compact disk, researchers must conduct
the proper use of bench and pedestal grinders safety procedures[D].
E.) Bibliography
 1.) Lynskey, D. , How the compact disc lost its shine. The Guardian.
Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/28/how-the-compact-disc-
lost-its-shine
2.) DES IFPI WORLD SALES (2001). 2000 recording industry world sales.
Retrieved from https://www.ifpi.org/content/library/worldsales2000.pdf
3.) Richter, F. (2018). The Rise and Fall of the Compact Disc. The Statistics
Portal. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/chart/12950/cd-sales-in-the-us/
4.) Novak Sanitary Services (2016). Reduce E-Waste by Following This
CD/DVD Recycling Guide. Retrieved from
https://www.novaksanitary.com/news/article/reduce-e-waste-by-following-this-
cddvd-recycling-guide
5.) John, S. (2018). Bittersweet Symphonies: What Happens to our CDs
After We Toss Them?. Scientific American. Retrieved from
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-happens-to-cds/
6.) Woodford, C. (2018). CD and DVD players. Explain that Stuff!. Retrieved
from https://www.explainthatstuff.com/cdplayers.html
7.) Biehn, A. W. (2008). Compact Discard: Finding Environmentally
Responsible Ways to Manage Discarded Household CDs and DVDs
https://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1023&context=mes_cap
stones
8.) Ehlert, P. (2016). Are CDs and DVDs recyclable? Quora . Retrieved from
https://www.quora.com/Are-CDs-and-DVDs-recyclable
9.) Vila, A. (2018). Philippines plastic pollution: why so much waste ends
up in oceans. South China Morning Post. Retrieved from
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health/article/2168819/philippines-plastic-
pollution-why-so-much-waste-ends-oceans
10.) Raghuvanshi, K. (2019). How to Recycle Old and Unused CDs as
Creatively as Possible. HelpSaveNature. Retrieved from
https://helpsavenature.com/how-to-recycle-cds
11.) Biehn, A. W. (2008). Compact Discard: Finding Environmentally
Responsible Ways to Manage Discarded Household CDs and DVDs . Retrieved
from EMCO INDUSTRIAL PLASTICS, INC. Retrieved from
https://www.emcoplastics.com/polycarbonate/
 12.) Starl, L. (2017). Difference and Similarities of Blu-ray and DVD. Tipard
Multimedia Solution. Retrieved from https://www.tipard.com/resource/blu-ray-vs-
dvd.html
13.) EHS (2015). Laboratory Solid Waste Disposal. Princeton University,
Environmental Health Safety. Retrieved from https://ehs.princeton.edu/laboratory-
research/radiation-safety/radioactive-materials/waste/solid-waste/solid-waste-
disposal-procedures

D.)Safety Services Company (2018), Chemical Safety: Guidelines in

Pouring and Molding Plastic, Retrieved from
https://www.safetyservicescompany.com/industry-
category/construction/chemical-safety-guidelines-in-pouring-and-molding-plastic/
D.) Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety (1997-2019), Use of
Bench and Pedestal Grinders, Retrieved from
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/abrasive_wheels/safeuse2.html
E.) DPWH Standard Specification for ITEM 1046 - Masonry Works,
Department of Public Works and Highways, Aggregates for Concrete Hollow
Blocks and Louver Blocks 1046.2.2.1

F.) DPWH Standard Specification for ITEM 1046 - Masonry Works,

Department of Public Works and Highways, Mixing 1046.3.1.1
G.) DPWH Standard Specification for ITEM 1046 - Masonry Works,
Department of Public Works and Highways, Moulding 1046.3.1.2
H.) DPWH Standard Specification for ITEM 1046 - Masonry Works,
Department of Public Works and Highways, Curing 1046.3.1.3
I.) DPWH Standard Specification for ITEM 1046 - Masonry Works,
Department of Public Works and Highways, Sampling and Testing for CHB and
Louvers 1046.3.1.7