“Recycled Tetra Packs as Soil Reinforcement”

Abstract

This study aims to improve the shearing strength of soil by adding sheets of
Tetra Pack in between soil layers. Tetra Packs from used juice packs are used because
of their flexibility, insulation and non-biodegradability. All modified samples achieved
better shearing strength and displacement than the control sample. Doubled Plain Tetra
Packs have the highest stress, 18 519 Pa, while Single Plain and Perforated have the
highest displacement of 2.5 mm. The control sample achieved stresses and
displacement of 9 259 Pa and 2.17 mm, respectively. Therefore, adding Tetra Packs in
between soil layers improve the shearing strength of soil.

Introduction

Plastic pollution is a major global phenomenon that requires global and

comprehensive solutions that includes systematic rethinks about usage and production.
The researchers aim to reduce solid wastes and increase the shearing strength of
soil by examining the potential of used tetra packs.
The researchers placed four different sheets of tetra pack: (1) single plain, (2)
doubled plain, (3) single perforated and, (4) doubled plain in halfway through a soil
sample, aiming to increase the shearing strength of the soil.
The soil samples will be tested in a 60 x 60 x 20 mm shear box using a direct
shear apparatus calibrated to move at 3 millimeters per minute. The force applied and
displacement prior to failure of the sample will be recorded.

Materials and Methods

Soil

The soil was obtained from a 1-meter deep hole in San Pedro, Laguna. The soil
was rid of all foreign materials and stored in an open and dry place. The soil was then
passed through Sieve No. 10 and oven dried for three hours in 105-115°C.

Tetra Packs
 The Tetra Packs were obtained from waste Zest-O Big 250 mL packaging. The
packs were rid of moisture and cut into 60 x 20 mm rectangles and modified depending
on the sample type. The thickness of the Tetra Packs was less than 1 mm for all
variations.

This study would be using the experimental procedure. All shearing box would be
set one at a time. In order for us to have the best compaction, the soil samples must
have optimum moisture content, as calculated, of 37%. Tetra Packs were cut until it
reached the required dimension (60 mm x 20 mm). Perforated tetra packs were cut with
4 mm diameter holes, 4 mm apart on the vertical and 12 mm apart on the horizontal.
Preparation of Tetra Packs:

1. Flatten and cut the tetra packs to attain the required size (60 mm x 20 mm).
2. For perforated tetra packs, cut 4–mm holes 4 mm apart on the vertical and 12
mm apart on the horizontal.
3. For double-thickness tetra packs, staple two layers together.

Drying and Preparation of Soil Sample according to ASTM D-2216:

1.) Sieve the soil sample using Sieve No. 10.

2.) Place the passing sample into a 105 - 115 degree Celsius oven for three hours.
3.) Weigh the dry sample.
4.) Add water to the sample until the optimum moisture content is attained.

Preparation of Test Sample:

For control samples, tamp the soil into the trimming ring.
For samples layered with tetra packs:
1. Tamp the soil into the trimming ring.
2. Remove the soil from the mold.
3. Using a spatula, cut the molded soil in half.
4. Place the tetra pack in between the two divisions.
5. Tamp the layered soil into the mold again to seal.

Procedure for Direct Shear Testing according to ASTM D-3080:

1. Slowly extrude the soil sample from the trimming ring and into the shear box.
2. Place the loading cap above the soil sample as seating load.
3. Remove the locking screws of the bottom and top halves of the shear box to
allow movement.
4. Raise the top half slightly to ensure that the shearing stress is applied to the soil
rather than the surfaces of the box. Make sure that the bottom and top halves are
properly aligned and that the shear box is in its home position.
5. Calibrate the digital shear test apparatus to a displacement of 3 mm per minute.
6. Begin the test by applying a constant rate of deformation. Record displacement,
the forces applied as functions of time and/or the maximum force prior to failure.
After the test, set the forces to zero or turn the machine off. Dismantle the apparatus to
remove the sample from the shear box.

Calculation of Shearing Stress

𝑭
𝝉=
𝑨

Where; F = Force attained prior to failure

A = Area of parallel/resisting plane
 Results

Table I shows the maximum force, area, stress, displacement and time of failure
of the control sample in each trial and their average.

Trial Maximum Area of Maximum Displacement

Force (N) Resisting Shearing at Failure
Plane Stress (mm)
(mm2) (Pa)
1 30 3600 8 333.33 2.01
2 40 3600 11 111.11 2.38
3 30 3600 8 333.33 2.12
Average 33.33 3600 9 259.26 2.17
Table I. Control Sample

Table II shows the maximum force, area, stress, displacement and time of failure
of the plain-layered sample in each trial and their average.

Trial Maximum Area of Maximum Displacement

Force (N) Resisting Shearing at Failure
Plane Stress (mm)
(mm2) (Pa)
1 40 3600 11 111.11 2.50
2 60 3600 16 666.67 2.48
3 60 3600 16 666.67 2.52
Average 53.33 3600 14 814. 82 2.5
Table II. Plain Layer
 Table III shows the maximum force, area, stress, displacement and time of
failure of the double plain-layered sample in each trial and their average.

Trial Maximum Area of Maximum Displacement

Force (N) Resisting Shearing at Failure
Plane Stress (mm)
(mm2) (Pa)
1 70 3600 19 444.44 2.42
2 70 3600 19 444.44 2.46
3 60 3600 16 666.67 2.46
Average 66.67 3600 18 519.44 2.45
Table III. Doubled Plain Layer
Table IV shows the maximum force, area, stress, displacement and time of
failure of the perforated-layered sample in each trial and their average.

Trial Maximum Area of Maximum Displacement

Force (N) Resisting Shearing at Failure
Plane Stress (mm)
(mm2) (Pa)
1 50 3600 13 888.89 2.53
2 50 3600 13 888.89 2.51
3 50 3600 13 888.89 2.47
Average 50 3600 13 888.89 2.50
Table IV. Perforated Layer
Table V shows the maximum force, area, stress, displacement and time of failure of the
perforated double-layer sample in each trial and their average.

Trial Maximum Area of Maximum Displacement

Force (N) Resisting Shearing at Failure
Plane Stress (mm)
(mm2) (Pa)
1 60 3600 16 666.67 2.49
2 60 3600 16 666.67 2.25
3 60 3600 16 666.67 2.42
Average 50 3600 16 666.67 2.39
Table V. Double Perforated
Figure I shows the average maximum shearing stress of each type of sample prior to their failure.
The sample with the doubled plain layer attained the highest shearing strength of 18 519 Pa, twice of
the control sample’s strength which is 9 259 Pa.

Maximum Shearing Stress (Pa)

20000 18519
18000 16667
16000 14815
13889
14000
12000
10000 09259

8000
6000
4000
2000
0
Control Plain Double Plain Perforated Perforated Double

Figure I
Figure II shows the displacement of the top half of the shear box from its original position in
millimeter. The single plain and perforated layers attained the highest displacement prior to failure
with 2.5 mm, while the control sample attained the lowest with 2.17 mm.

Displacement at Failure (mm)

Control 2.17

Plain 2.5

Doubled Plain 2.45

Perforated 2.5

Perforated Double 2.39

Figure II
 Conclusion

The researchers concluded that adding Tetra Packs in between two soil layers improved
the soil’s performance in terms of maximum strength and displacement attained prior to failure.

 All modified samples layered with Tetra Packs have higher maximum stresses and
displacement.
 The sample with Doubled Plain Tetra Pack layer achieved the highest shearing stress with 18
519 Pa. The control sample and the sample with Perforated Tetra Pack achieved the lowest
shearing stress with 9 259 Pa and 13 889 Pa, respectively.
 The samples with Single Plain and Perforated Tetra Packs achieved the highest displacement
with 2.5 mm. The Perforated Double Tetra Pack achieved the lowest displacement with 2.39
mm.
 It is concluded that waste Tetra Packs can function as a low-cost shearing-stress improvement
for soil.

Recommendation
Based on the results gathered and conclusions drawn, some recommendations
are considered needed to further explore the shearing strength of soil layered with Tetra
Packs not tackled in this study:
1. The researchers recommend that a direct shear test with a seating load be done in
order to measure the performance of the layers for situations where horizontal loadings
are present.
2. The performance of soil samples with different moisture content should also be
measured in order to replicate environmental conditions.
 Reference

ASTM International. ASTM D 3080 Standard Test Method for Direct Shear Test of Soils
Under Consolidated Drained Conditions

ASTM International. ASTM D 2216 Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination
of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass

Rinkesh, Causes, Effects and Solutions of Plastic Pollution. Retrieved from

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-plastic-
pollution.php