Strength, Water Absorption and Thermal Comfort of Mortar Bricks Containing Crushed Ceramic Waste

Abstract

This present study investigated the crushed ceramic waste utilisation as sand replacement in solid mortar bricks. The percentage of crushed ceramic waste used were 0% (CW0), 10% (CW10), 20% (CW20) and 30% (CW30) from the total weight of sand. The dimension prescribed of mortar bricks are 215 mm x 102.5 mm x 65 mm as followed accordance to MS 2281:2010 and BS EN 771-1:2011+A1:2015. Four (4) tests were conducted on mortar bricks namely crushing strength, water absorption, compressive strength of masonry units and thermal comfort. The incorporation of ceramic waste in all designated mortar bricks showed the increment of crushing strength between 23% and 46% at 28 days of curing and decrement water absorption between 34% and 44% was recorded corresponding to control mortar bricks. The prism test of masonry units consists of mortar bricks containing ceramic waste indicated the high increment of compressive strength at about 200% as compared to mortar brick without ceramic waste. The thermal comfort test of ceramic mortar bricks were also showed the good insulation with low interior temperature. Therefore, the ceramic waste can be utilised as a material replacement to fine aggregate in mortar brick productions due to significant outcomes performed.

Revitalizing Degraded and Abandoned Lands: Reflections from Local Government Involvement in Mud Brick Production - Tanzania

“…The abandoned holes on the other hand became enduring breeding sites for mosquitos which cause malaria and related diseases which easily spread to the communities; endangering the entire society and other waterborne diseases. This finding concurs with study by Jerin, et al, (2016) and Ismail, et al, (2017) that brick makers faced health effects due to dusty condition of the sites and that the society around the brick making sites also lacked clean and safe water since the nearby water streams were polluted by ash and dust hence leading to poor quality of portable water.…”