Utilization of Waste Clay Bricks and Waste Lightweight Concrete Blocks as Fine Aggregates for the Preparation of Mortar

Abstract

Recently there has been major attention towards waste materials for converting them into useful materials. This study is aimed to investigate the possibility of utilizing waste clay bricks and waste lightweight concrete blocks as suitable materials for partial replacing of the fine aggregate in the production of cement mortar. In mortar mixes, waste clay bricks constitute 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of fine aggregate. On the other hand, the second line (waste lightweight concrete blocks) has contained 10%, 20%, and 30% of the natural sand produced. Some mixes have contained the combination of two types of waste materials together (20% clay bricks with 10% lightweight concrete block, 10% clay bricks with 20% lightweight concrete block, and 15% clay bricks with 15% lightweight concrete block respectively). The effects of the wastes aggregate on flow and engineering properties (i.e., density, compressive strength, flexural strength, and water absorption) of mortar have been also investigated at 7, 28, and 360 days. The results have presented a reduction in the flow of mortar when using a waste aggregate and a significant increase in compressive and flexural strength when using waste clay bricks aggregate at different percent. Utilizing lightweight concrete blocks aggregate has a clear effect on mortar density.