Characterization of sustainable interlocking burnt clay brick wall panels: An alternative to conventional bricks

Abstract

The application of interlocking burnt clay brick can be a viable option for conventional brick masonry due to its improved structural performance and ease in construction. Furthermore, the incorporation of waste marble powder (WMP) in interlocking burnt clay bricks can lead to economical and sustainable masonry construction. This research program was mainly categorized into two stages: material characterization of developed interlocking burnt clay brick and mechanical performance of wall panels incorporating interlocking bricks. Various dosages of WMP (i.e. 10%, 20% and 30% by clay weight) in interlocking bricks were investigated. Results showed that the lighter interlocking bricks can be manufactured with the addition of WMP. It was observed that the compressive strength of interlocking burnt clay bricks decreased with the addition of WMP. However, the compressive strength of burnt clay bricks with 10% of WMP satisfies the local building code requirement for masonry construction. Test results on wall panels revealed that the interlocking burnt clay brick wall exhibited 43% increase in out of plane load carrying capacity compared to that of the conventional brick wall panels. Similarly, higher deflection at peak load and improved toughness was observed for interlocking brick wall panels. Moreover, cracking pattern transformed from horizontal slide shear in conventional brick wall to diagonal shear cracks in interlocking brick wall panels. The findings of this research demonstrate that the addition of 10% WMP in interlocking burnt clay brick can be a potential option for sustainable masonry wall leading to more eco-friendly and economical construction.