Development of lighter and eco-friendly burnt clay bricks incorporating sugarcane bagasse ash

Abstract

Utilization of waste materials in the production of burnt clay bricks can behelpful in reducing the landfill burden. This study aims to develop lighterand eco-friendly burnt clay bricks incorporating sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA). Clay bricks were manufactured in a local brick manufacturing industrial kiln,incorporating SBA by weight of clay in different proportions. To study the properties of bricks, differentmechanical and durability tests were performed as per ASTM C67. Results showedthat SBA can be helpful in manufacturing of lighter bricks. Bricks incorporating SBA exhibit compressive strength lesser than traditional clay bricks; however, burnt clay bricks incorporating5% SBA by clay weight fulfilled the minimum requirement for compressive strength according to the Building code of Pakistan. Moreover, efflorescence was improved after adding the SBA in burnt clay bricks. Therefore, lighter and sustainable bricks can be produced after utilization of small amount of SBA (i.e., 5%) in burnt clay bricks.