Evaluation of compressed stabilized earth block properties using crushed brick waste

Abstract

This study investigates the engineering properties of compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEBs) incorporating crushed brick waste as alternative to soil-sand mixture as well as sand. The work was undertaken in two phases: in first phase, the influence of crushed brick waste to replace soil-sand mix without jeopardizing the original performance along with resistance against sulfate attack has been highlighted. Further, microscopic studies were performed to examine the compounds developed. Then, the influence of crushed brick waste particle size and replacement ratio to replace natural sand has been studied. The results show that inclusion of crushed brick waste in soil-sand mixture significantly improved the block performance, especially under wetting–drying cycles and sulfate attack. The X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies confirmed that inclusion of crushed brick waste leads to better resistant against external attacks. Crushed brick waste particle size and replacement ratio has significant influence on block strength and water absorption. The addition of 20% crushed brick waste with particle size 0/4.75 mm increases the compressive and flexural strength; beyond that the resistance decreases due to inferior properties of crushed brick waste. On the other hand, removal of powder content negatively affected the block strength. The replacement of sand with very fines content up to 20% is encouraging beyond that the strength decreases drastically due to higher porosity and water absorption of crushed brick waste. Irrespective of crushed brick waste particle size, water absorption increases with replacement ratio.