Polymer Reinforced Laterite for Building Materials

This paper focuses on the potential in locally available materials to produce alternative building materials at low cost. Laterite was reinforced with plastic particulates obtained from plastic wastes, and vulcanized rubber to improve flexural and compressive strength respectively. It was found that 20% volume fraction of fine grain plastic particulates mixed with matrix (60% laterite + 20% cement) had a better flexural and compressive strength respectively compared to the other samples of various proportions. In comparison with the traditional building material (river sand), it showed a higher compressive strength and very close flexural strength, hence can be used as alternative building material.