Abstract
The utilization of waste crushed clay brick (CB) in concrete reduces its harmful impacts on the environment as it can be found in many places around the world. This research studies the possibility of using clay brick powder (CBP) as a filler material to produce lightweight concrete as it has been exposed to high temperatures during manufacturing of the bricks, which increases its pozzolanic reactivity. The effect of using an air-entraining agent (AEA) for additional pore formation on concrete performance was evaluated. Eight mixtures were prepared and examined to achieve the research objectives. Concrete flowability, dry density, compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, thermal conductivity, sorptivity, and porosity were measured. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermo-gravimetric analysis, and mercury intrusion porosimetry were used to analyze the microstructure characteristics of the concrete. The results indicate that the use of CBP as filler material enhances the mechanical and durability characteristics of the concrete. In contrast, adding an AEA has negative effects on concrete’s mechanical and durability properties, but on the other hand, its use enhances the thermal properties of the concrete.
Highlights
Construction and demolition wastes represent serious environmental problems as they occupy rare landfills
It caused an increase in the concrete dry density, compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) values, and thermal conductivity with the increase in the clay brick powder (CBP) content as it filled the pores and enhanced the mechanical and durability properties of the concrete
There was an observed decrease in the concrete porosity when the CBP was used as filler material
Summary
Construction and demolition wastes represent serious environmental problems as they occupy rare landfills. These wastes cause damage to the land as they dissolve, producing harmful substances which pollute the soil and water [1,2]. CB waste is transported to landfills or dumped into designated sites [3,4]. The utilization of CB as coarse and fine aggregates in concrete production has been investigated [1,2]. The compressive strength of concrete made with CB as aggregate is weaker than that of the concrete produced with normal aggregates [10] Utilizing it as aggregate in concrete reduces the concrete weight [1]
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