Utilization of Clay Brick Waste Powder for Partial Replacement with Cement in Cement Mortar

Abstract

Partial replacement of cement with crushed burnt clay brick waste powder (CBP) could reduce CO2 emission, enhance the conservation of natural resources, and decrease the cost of waste disposal sites. The aim of this study is to investigate the use of CBP as a partial replacement for cement in the production of cement mortar. Clinker was replaced by CBP in different proportions (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%) by weight for cement. The physicochemical properties of cement at the anhydrous state and the hydrated state thus compressive strengths after 7, 28, and 90 days for the mortar were studied. Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and Thermogravimetry (TG) tests were conducted to investigate the development of cement hydration reactions in the presence of these wastes. Particle size distributions were obtained from laser granulometry (LG) of CBP and cement used in this study. Considering the proportions levels studied, the results indicated that the use of CBP in mixture accelerated the hydration reactions, and there was an indication of pozzolanic activity, particles packing density and compressive strength were maintained. Compressive strength decreased as the replacement level and average particle size increased. The CBP mixture at 20% level had similar or even higher mechanical properties than controlled mortar.