Abstract
Coal is used as a traditional fuel for firing of clay bricks in kilns. The cost of coal is high and is increasing continuously. This paper describes the effect of alternate fuels on compressive strength, water absorption and density of fired clay bricks. The alternate fuels used in this study were 1) rapeseed husk (Type I), 2) combination of sugarcane-bagasse, rice husk and used clothes (Type II) and 3) coal (Type III). The results show that compressive strength of bricks fired using Type I and Type II fuels was decreased to 11% and 7%, respectively, compared to those fired with coal. However, the values of water absorption and density of bricks fired with Type I and Type II fuels were almost same as exhibited by those baked with coal. This study shows that a saving of 25%, and 18% could be achieved when the bricks were fired using Type I and Type II fuels, respectively, compared to those fired with coal.
Highlights
Baked clay bricks are generally used as a walling material in buildings
The results show that the compressive strength of bricks fired with Type I and Type II fuels is about 11%, and 7% lower than those baked with coal, respectively. 3.2
The results show that there is no significant difference in values of water absorption and density of bricks fired with alternate fuels compared to those baked with coal
Summary
Baked clay bricks are generally used as a walling material in buildings. The clay bricks are fired in a kiln at a temperature of 1000 ̊C [1]-[3]. A huge amount of fuel is needed to fire clay bricks. Coal is used as fuel for firing of clay bricks in the kilns [4]. The use of coal as a fuel results in the increase of the cost of bricks. The cost of construction of buildings will be increased. In order to reduce the cost of baked clay bricks, alternative and low cost fuels are to be sought [5]-[13]. The structural properties of baked clay bricks depend upon firing temperature and firing time [3]
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