Development and characterization of a novel brick made from clay brick waste/rice husk ash/cement/coconut shell ash

Abstract

Agro and demolition waste have been researched to develop masonry units in the contemporary construction industry. This study aims to enhance the performance of an already-developed clay brick waste/rice husk ash/cement brick by adding coconut shell ash (CSA). Here, CSA was separately added to replace cement by 0,2,4,6 and 8%, by weight. As per results, 4% of CSA yield in minimum water absorption (20.6%) and maximum compressive strength (4.56 MPa). By adding CSA, the water absorption of the clay brick waste/rice husk ash/cement brick can be reduced, and such bricks result in improved compressive strength and water absorption. The scanning electron microscope micrographs confirm that pozzolanic reactions take place in bricks. The proposed bricks can be recommended to control the land pollution caused by rice husk ash, coconut shells and clay brick waste and they ideally suit for non-load-bearing applications in moderate weathering conditions.