Compressive Strength and Water Absorption Characteristics of Brick Using Quarry Dust

Abstract

This paper reports the investigation made on the suitability and the optimum ratio of quarry dust in replacing river sand for brick production. A series of mix proportions for different ratio of cement:sand:quarry dust were prepared. Five types of mix proportions were practiced in the production of brick specimens were 1:10:0, 1:7.5:2.5, 1:5:5, 1:2.5:7.5 and 1:0:10 (Cement:Sand:Quarry Dust) and denoted as B1, B2, B3, B4 and B5 respectively. The curing method applied in this study was air dry as this type of curing was widely used in the manufacturing of bricks. The compressive strength of the samples was determined at 7, 28 and 45 days. Compressive strength tests were conducted in accordance with BS 3921:1985. Water absorptions of the samples were determined by using 24 h cold immersion test and 5 h boiling test. Bricks with mix ratio 1:0:10 (B5) containing 100 % quarry dust in replacing the sand gave the highest strength and the lowest water absorption compared to other ratios. All the quarry dust-sand-cement bricks exhibited a compressive strength much higher than the minimum requirement for standard bricks (5 N/mm2) according to British Standard (BS 3921:1985). Bricks B5 can be considered to be in ‘severe weathering’ grade and the other bricks are in ‘moderate weathering’ grade in accordance with ASTM C62.