Properties of bricks made using fly ash, quarry dust and billet scale

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of an investigation done on bricks made using fly ash (FA), quarry dust (QD), and billet scale (BS) by non conventional method. The procedure for producing the bricks includes mixing the constituents along with cement and water, and then forming the bricks within moulds without applying pressure over them. Unlike the traditional method of brick manufacturing, the new approach neither uses clay or shale nor requires high pressure on mould or high temperature kiln firing having remarkable environmental and ecological gain. Results for mechanical properties and durability were rewarding and promising. The optimum ratio of billet scale and fly ash is found to be 1:1, billet scale and quarry dust is 1:1. It is indicated that the bricks developed in this study can be used as an alternative to conventional bricks. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.