Ecological Bricks Research Articles

Influence of The Type of Laying Joint on The Mechanical Behavior of Prisms Made With Ecological Bricks

Objective: This paper proposes the study of the influence of laying joints on the mechanical behavior of masonry prisms made with ecological bricks. Method: To this end, an experimental program was developed including prisms constructed with different types of joints: laying mortar, adhesive mortar and PVA glue (polyvinyl acetate). Results and Discussion: The adhesive mortar and the conventional mortar were characterized in terms of their compressive strength, obtaining a resistance approximately 1.36 times the compressive strength of the brick (6.92±0.51 MPa), while the settlement was close (0.99%). The average compressive strengths of the prisms were very different, demonstrating that the laying joint has a significant influence on cement-based masonry. It was found that the use of adhesive mortar made it possible to increase the resistance capacity of the prisms to compression by 75%, when compared to prisms made with joints that used PVA glue. However, the laying mortar showed a similar result, at 53%. The rupture mode observed in the prisms made with sticky and conventional mortar was due to traction cracking in the brick units. Research Implications: In this study, it can be concluded that when using ecological bricks with different types of joints, the thickness and type of mortar can have a significant influence on the final strength of the materials, however thin joints tend to maximize the effects defects and reduce the resistant capacity of these masonries.

Utilizing traditional knowledge and creatively repurposing mining waste to develop new sustainable products geared toward eco-friendly construction

Mining is a very important activity for civil engineering. Important aggregates are removed from this for civil construction, bridges and roads, development of construction materials and several other applications. However, this activity has negatively impacted both the exploration areas and their surroundings. Associated with this environmental concern, it is possible to enter the context of real estate paints, which emit considerable amounts of volatile organic compounds that harm the atmosphere and the health of workers and users, in addition to reducing the air quality of the environment in which they are located was applied. Furthermore, with technological advances, industrial paints with synthetic pigments began to replace natural products, causing environmental pollution. The volatile organic compounds generated by real estate paints have resulted in health problems for the population. The literature has reported a growing search for renewable paint products, such as environmentally friendly paints and other environmentally friendly products for use in construction. In this way, materials from mining waste have been studied as an alternative for the development of ecological bricks. Studies suggest that mining waste, considered an environmental liability, can be an alternative for the production of soil-cement bricks that meet technical and environmental specifications. In addition to ecological bricks, another aspect that has emerged as a viable alternative for using mining waste is the production of ecological paints and the application of possible natural pigments to diversify the colors of ecological paints. Finally, the manufacture of ecological paints, natural dyes, ecological bricks and cement from mining waste, in addition to being an environmental improvement alternative, can be used in socio-environmental projects, allowing social inclusion, teaching and reproducing environmental education, and increasing environmental awareness. In this review we address the main types of mining waste that are used in the production of bricks and paints ecological.

Incorporation of Liquid WTP Sludge into Compacted Soil–Cement Mixtures

The sludge from water treatment plants (WTP) is a waste from the water process. This study evaluated the effect of incorporating water treatment plant (WTP) sludge, replacing the water used in compacted soil–cement mixtures. The materials were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) associated with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The soil, with the addition of liquid WTP sludge, presented an apparent dry specific weight (ƴd) of 1.77 gf·cm−3, the optimum moisture value in the compaction test of 15%, and the cement contents tested were 7, 11, and 14%. The specimens were molded using a WTP sludge–cement–soil mixture under the conditions mentioned above, and the simple compression results showed values within the range of 2.5 to 9.3 MPa, as specified by the Brazilian Technical Standard (NBR) 8491/2012. The hydraulic conductivity performed on the test specimen after 28 days of curing resulted in a coefficient (k) of 7.49 × 10−9 cm·s−1, classified as little permeable. The result obtained from aluminum leaching was 0.12 mg·L−1, within the maximum limit allowed by NBR 10004/2004. Therefore, liquid WTP sludge has a significant capacity for incorporation into the compacted soil–cement mixture and the potential to manufacture ecological bricks, an alternative environmentally sustainable brick.

Analysis of the technical feasibility of ecological bricks based on PET plastic and bottle glass for the reduction of solid waste pollution in a metropolis

Contamination by non-biodegradable solid waste is worrying, mainly due to PET and glass waste, because they are used for single use such as bottles or containers. In addition, global production in 2021 of these materials was 139 million tons and 23.4 million tons, respectively. Therefore, the objective of this research is to develop an efficient design of bricks composed of cement, PET plastic and glass, evaluating both their physical properties and their mechanical properties to reduce said waste. For this, 4 mixtures based on cement, sand and glass were designed with proportions of 1:2:0.5 and 1:2:1. In addition, 5% and 10% PET were incorporated into these proportions. It should be noted that the PET was ground to a size of 0.2 cm and the glass was ground to a size of 2 cm. The tests carried out show that the 1:2:0.5 dosage with 10% PET is the most efficient, since it obtained a compressive strength of 77.99 kg/cm2 after 28 days. Therefore, it exceeds the minimum value of 70 kg/cm2 after 28 days to be classified as type II brick according to the masonry standard E.070. Likewise, said unit complied with the warping, dimensional variation and absorption tests required by the aforementioned standard.

Utilization of agate powder residue for manufacturing ecological bricks

In recent years, it has become increasingly important to search for alternatives for the development of new materials with sustainable characteristics. This is due to the fact that the environmental problems faced by the whole world have become increasingly worrying due to their serious short and long term impacts. In view of this, the use of materials from reuse and the disposal of polluting waste shows itself as an excellent alternative for the development of new products. Considering the mineral sector as a major generator of solid waste, this study proposed the reuse of agate powder, a residue from the extraction and processing process of agate stone, for the manufacture of ecological bricks. Mechanical compression tests were performed on bricks with 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, thus obtaining a mechanical strength profile. The results obtained were compared with those proposed by NBR 8491 (2012), which proved very promising, being above the values proposed by the standard in all cases.

Use Of Mining Tailings in The Manufacture of Ecological Bricks to Encourage the Construction of Sustainable Housing

This work aimed to manufacture ecological bricks using mining tailings, by-products of mining activity, to contribute to sustainable housing development. The Peruvian technical standards E.060 and E.070 are used as a reference framework to achieve this. The study focuses on various aspects, such as mineralogical analysis, particle size distribution, plasticization, workability, and rheology. The research methodology adopted is deductive, with an applied and quantitative approach. A retrolective data collection instrument and descriptive, explanatory, correlational, and descriptive level approaches are used. The results obtained from this research reveal significant findings. It was observed that including 20% of an alkaline binder based on calcined clay improves the development of bricks in areas with severe climatic conditions. In addition, incorporating lime fibers reduces thermal conductivity and increases bricks' compressive and bending strength. Blocks containing 30% clay cork reinforce the bricks' bulk density, thermal conductivity, and strength. On the other hand, it was verified that tailings with lead-zinc sulfide, reduced by 47%, comply with the carbonization and contraction coefficient. Shale, fly ash, and cement tailings achieved a compressive strength of 26 MPa and a water absorption rate of 14.32%. The addition of steel filings by 3% improves compressive strength. Likewise, incorporating plastic waste increases the compressive strength to reach 37.5 MPa. As for geopolymers, it was observed that viscosity recovery is in a range between 65% and 82%. Finally, recycled aggregates, with a maximum nominal size of 3/8" and 1/4", meet the standard requirements, providing a compressive strength of up to 8 MPa. Finally, this study demonstrates the potential of using mining tailings and other recycled materials to manufacture ecological bricks for sustainable housing development in mining communities, offering viable solutions from an environmental and construction point of view.

Design of a methodology for the elaboration of ecological bricks incorporating low-density polyethylene

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is generally found in the form of bags that are used to pack or transport merchandise; however, the proper disposal of this non-biodegradable material has been a great challenge, since, worldwide, it is calculated that only 9%, of the 9 billion tons that have been produced so far, has been recycled. In Mexico, it is estimated that 8 million tons of this material will be generated annually and only 14% will be recycled. On the other hand, the recycling of these residues, as an aggregate in construction materials, is considered an environmentally sustainable application. The objective of this article is to develop a methodology for the design of ecological concrete bricks incorporating LDPE from design as part of its aggregates, which will be obtained from articles with results presented, thus seeking to analyze the best design; this as an alternative to bricks commonly found in the construction industry. Although bricks made only with LDPE and sand have given good results, in relation to the use of plastic in intervals of 25 to 50%, it is expected that by adding Portland cement, they will have better physical and mechanical properties.

Ecological bricks produced from scheelite residue, stone powder, and cassava wastewater for non-structural masonry

Ecological bricks produced from scheelite residue, stone powder, and cassava wastewater for non-structural masonry

Development of Ecobrick Utilizing an Agrowaste Composed of Spent Lentinula Edodes Substrate

The present study aimed production and evaluation of ecological bricks composed of spent mushroom substrate, in order to propose an alternative material in the scope of civil construction, which would reduce environmental problems related to its production. For this reason, spent mushroom substrate, an agro-waste discarded in the environment after mushroom harvest was evaluated to produce ecological bricks. The brick with spent mushroom substrate has a compression capacity of 0.8 MPa, while the standard brick, without spent mushroom substrate, has a resistance of 2.6 MPa, due to its porosity. The most abundant chemical element found was calcium and toxic elements were not detected. The greatest water absorption occurred in bricks made with spent mushroom substrate. Although water resistance and absorption are below the recommendations of building construction standards, the spent mushroom substrate bricks could be applied as sealing material and its production process reduced the consumption of raw materials, energy, water and the emission of pollutants.

The Potential Use of Brick Wastes in the Generation of New Materials for Construction through Geopolymerization Processes

The calcined clay bricks are the second most used materials in construction that, after the demolition processes, tends to become rubble, generating a negative visual and environmental impact, in addition to the fact that the brick-making process has not been industrialized in Ecuador, for that, its properties are deficient; in this way, the present research aims to study the physical, chemical and mineralogical characteristics of brick waste from the Southern part of ​​this country, for the elaboration of ecological bricks through geopolymerization processes, using as alkaline activator Sodium Hydroxide at temperature ranged between 90 °C and 200 °C, obtaining an optimal mixture at the combination 12.5 M, 26 wt% Cs, 150 °C. The mechanical properties of bricks as simple compression and flexural strength, respectively, applying the experimental Griffith criterion method by finite element simulation method. These ecological bricks obtained are suitable for use in construction.

Soil characterisation used in ceramic industries and an analysis of its feasibility in ecological bricks

Abstract In this study, we aimed to characterise soils of three sedimentary deposits used as raw material sources for ceramic industries located in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The samples were collected in deposits located in the cities of Barra de São Miguel, Juazeirinho and Santa Cecília. They were named, prepared and submitted to tests to determine the mineralogical, chemical, physical and thermal characteristics using the XRD, EDX, Casagrande, granulometric analysis, TG and DTA. The soils presented compositions containing quartz, alumina and hematite, predominantly with about 90% of the total, with well-defined peaks in the diffractograms confirming the statement, and averages of plasticity and granulometric distribution that fit them as silt-clay. When heated to 1000 °C, fire losses were 17%, 16% and 29% for samples from Barra de São Miguel, Juazeirinho and Santa Cecília, respectively, which is due to the dehydration and burning of organic matter. Thus, they have met the requirements of the Brazilian standards that deal to produce sealing (with sintering) and soil-cement bricks (by pressing). The studied deposits offer satisfactory raw material for the ceramics industry and can provide soil for soil-cement brick (ecological bricks) production.

REUSE STUDY OF WASTE IN ECOLOGICAL BRICK

With technological advances, the creation and use of sustainable materials is increasingly sought. One of the most widely used sustainable materials in civil construction corresponds to ecological bricks, thus, the present work aims to carry out a brief bibliographical survey on the reuse of waste in the manufacture of ecological bricks, aiming at sustainability. In this research, the studies presented show exactly different recyclable components, such as: PET bottles, Styrofoam, rubber, etc., precisely to add ecological diversity and impose an appropriate purpose to these resources in a way that motivates sustainable development. This investigation in several materials in the verification of the applicability of ecological brick, in order to submit and understand the behavior of these new materials.

Innovative Materials for Sustainable Construction

The construction industry has focused on trying to minimize and control the environmental impacts caused within the process of production and manufacture of fired bricks, for this reason the present research proposes five different alternative mixtures for the elaboration of ecological bricks, four of these based on soil-cement and one obtained through a geopolymerization process, using raw materials from the amazon region and the southern highlands of Ecuador, such as soil from the Centza mine (MC), sand from the Quiringue mine (MQ), organic correctors of husk rice (RH ), peanut shell (PS), natural gypsum (G) from the Malacatos sector and fired brick residues from the same sector. The raw materials were characterized (analysis: physicochemical and mineralogical); the soil-cement-based combinations used different percentages of substitution of organic correctors and gypsum, the optimum percentage of water and cement was determined through the compaction test and resistance to simple compression respectively, the samples were cured and tested at ages of 7, 14 and 28 days. In the geopolymerization process, an alkaline solution NaOH was used in different concentrations of molarity and solution contents, the specimens were cured at temperatures of 90 °C, 120 °C, 150 °C, 180 °C and 200 °C. The different combinations were subjected to indirect traction with the purpose to determine the optimal mixture and subsequent estimation of the compressive strength of bricks applying the Griffith criterion, the results were validated by the finite element method, obtaining strengths of 4 MPa in the combination soil-cement sand (SC_Ar1), in soil-cement rice husk (SC_RH2) and soil-cement peanut shell (SC_PS2) mixtures its resistance is 3 MPa, while in the soil-cement gypsum (SC_G4) mixture the resistance is 6.90 MPa and finally the resistance in geopolymeric mixture (GBW) is 13.75 MPa; In this way, the optimal combinations comply and increase the resistance to simple compression of bricks by 35% the SC_Ar1 mixture, 130% in the SC_G mixture with respect to the spanish standard and 129% the GBW mixture with respect to the ecuadorian standard.

Pozolanicidade do resíduo cerâmico

<p>The construction industry is still responsible for generating a significant volume of waste from mortars, concrete and ceramic materials. We underline in this scenario the residue of ceramic bricks that can be used in the production of new materials, such as laying and coating mortars, concrete and ecological bricks. This usage allows the reduction of the percentage of binders in these compositions and, consequently, the reduction of costs, less consumption of non-renewable natural resources and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from clinker manufacture. In order to do so, it is necessary to make the scientific verification of the process of pozzolanic activity through the following experiments: X-ray Diffraction (XRD) mineralogical analysis, sieving and sedimentation particle size analysis, X-ray Fluorescence (FRX) chemical analysis and the verification of Ca(OH)2 consumption by the modified Chapelle experiment. The results showed that the ceramic residue from non-structural masonry has high levels of silica (SiO2 ), aluminum oxide (Al2 O3 ) and iron oxide (Fe2 O3 ). Secondary pozzolanic additive.</p>

Evaluation of the thermal performance of a Social Interest Housing (SIH) with ecological brick masonry produced with urban solid waste stabilized in a tropical climate to replace the use of traditional building materials

The increasing urbanization and industrialization of modern societies has led to a large-scale production of solid waste, and its proliferation is therefore a global problem with immediate consequences for public health and the environment. Urban solid waste must be managed and controlled so as to reduce its volume and hazard, minimizing the damage of environmental pollution and the impacts in the population health. Currently, the most common waste control techniques are recycling and composting. Such techniques are known as tools that allow waste reuse. In this context, the use of recyclable materials in civil construction has been increasing day to day. However, in Brazil, no approach was found regarding material for the civil construction that is based on domiciliary solid residues, as the ecological brick. In this work, the thermal comfort of the ecological brick was analyzed, a brick of low environmental impact and of easy applicability that can be used to improve the thermal comfort of the Brazilian constructions in general, including the housing for the low-income population. The main objective of the study was to verify the effectiveness of the ecological brick regarding the thermal comfort. The methodology consists of measuring the thermal comfort in a reference model of low-income residence with ecological bricks masonry produced with waste from urban solid waste. Changes in the envelope were soon made, such as the addition of coating mortar and white paint and the replacement of the ecological brick masonry with the ceramic brick masonry with and without coating in order to compare the values of the residence internal temperature. The measurement was performed by computational simulation with the EnergyPlus® software using the real-scale prototype of the popular standard Brazilian house, on the typical summer day. In the results, it was noticed that the residence of ecological bricks obtained a sensitive difference in temperature in comparison to the residence of solid ceramic bricks. The prototype built with ecological brick contributed to better conditions of thermal comfort, as it provided lower internal temperatures, and, consequently, lower heat gain. Therefore, it was verified a change in the values of thermal transmittance and delay related to the behavior of masonry in the different environments of the building. As for the influence of the addition of the coating mortar and the external paint with a light color, it was observed that there was a significant improvement in the thermal performance of the masonry. Therefore, for a better thermal comfort of the users of the buildings in the bioclimatic zone-8, it is indicated that the seal composed by ecological bricks is towed and its facade painted with light colors.

Ecological bricks from dimension stone waste and polyester resin

In this work, the viability of using dimension stone (limestone) waste by mixing them with polyester resin to produce a new type of ecological brick, in the model of soil-cement bricks, was tested. First, limestone waste were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry analysis (TG/DTG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Second, the polyester resin was analyzed by FTIR and TG/DTG. Then the materials were mixed manually in a plastic beaker with the aid of a glass stick, and the limestone/polyester composites were compounded in ratios of 70/30, 80/20, 85/15 and 90/10 (weight percentage). The amount of curing agent (methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, MEKP) used for each composition was 0.6, 0.4, 0.3 and 0.2 mL, respectively. After the mixing step, the specimens were cylindrically shaped for the compression test (ASTM D695). The 70/30 composite presented the highest compressive strength, with a value of approximately 54 MPa, followed by 80/20, 85/15 and 90/10. The 90/10 composite, despite presenting a lower result than the other composites, achieved the value required by the standard at 600%, and its use will imply a lower cost due to the use of only 10% resin, plus the benefit of 90% waste no longer discarded in the environment. Due to these factors, the 90/10 composite was selected to be produced in real scale (prototype) and properly characterized. The bricks thus obtained were submitted to tests of compression (NBR 8492), water absorption (NBR 8492), TG/DTG and flammability (ASTM D635). The compressive strength of the limestone/polyester (90/10) brick was 280% and 350% higher when compared to the soil-cement brick and to the requirements for building bricks, respectively. The mean value of water absorption for the soil-cement brick was approximately 16.3%, close to the limit required by the standard (20%). In contrast, the value for the limestone/polyester (90/10) ecological brick was only 4%. The flammability test results showed that pure polyester resin has a tendency to propagate flames, but in the limestone/polyester (90/10) ecological brick, no propagation occurred because inorganic matter increased fire resistance.

Estabilização química de solo de textura franco: adição de cal e cimento

Diante do atual cenário onde a preocupação ambiental tornou-se protagonista, a estabilização de solo com adição de cal e cimento surgiu como uma forma alternativa, sustentável e viável de aplicação na construção civil. Desta forma, este trabalho tem como objetivo o estudo da estabilidade química do solo, adicionando cimento e cal, em um solo de textura média com 25% de argila, a fim de melhorá-lo mecanicamente para favorecer sua aplicação em tijolos solo-cal-cimento, os tijolos ecológicos. Para proceder, foram realizados ensaios variando a percentagem de cimento e a cal em quantidades de 0 a 13% em relação a massa de solo. Os procedimentos do trabalho competem à preparação do solo, análise de variação volumétrica através de ensaio físico-químico, modelagem e rompimento dos corpos de prova. Na variação volumétrica, as amostras de 3% de cal apresentaram comportamento regular sobre a curva de tendência de acordo com a variação percentual de cimento. Dos ensaios mecânicos, os lotes com 3% de cal para 7% e 9% de cimento, foram os únicos que apresentaram resistência mecânica média superior ao mínimo estabelecido pela NBR 8491. Ao final dos experimentos pode ser verificado que a variação 3% de cal para 7% de cimento sobre massa de solo, se mostrou com resultados satisfatórios para fabricação do tijolo solo-cal-cimento por ter apresentado resistência superior a mínima normatizada e por ser mais viável economicamente, em termos de preços de mercado da cal e do cimento, do que com 9% de cimento.

Recycling of construction wastes for manufacturing sustainable bricks

The purpose of this study was to manufacture sustainable bricks, based on three types of wastes generated in the building industry: wood-cutting residues, wastes from the excavation process and recycled aggregates (RA). Water was added as the kneading material, and Opuntia ficus-indica extract (mucilage) was supplemented as a natural additive to improve the workability of the mixtures. The conventional firing process was substituted by drying in a solar drying chamber. Nine mixtures were prepared using 62% excavation wastes, 5% wood-cutting residues and 33% RA. These mixtures were classified into two groups depending on their granulometries: the first one denominated cementitious RA only having granulometries from 3/8 inch (0·95 cm) and 1/4 inch (0·63 cm) to fines and the second group denominated all-in-one RA having granulometries from 1/4 inch to fines. The quality of the sustainable bricks was evaluated according to compressive strength and water absorption parameters. The results showed that the ecological bricks manufactured with the mixture of cementing RA only of 3/8 and 1/4 inch to fines meet the standard requirements, providing compressive strength values of up to 8 MPa; moreover, the use of O. ficus-indica extract as a natural additive notably improved the workability of the mixture.

Adobe Soil-Lime Bricks Reinforced with Kraft Paper Fibers

Residue generation causes significant environmental damages, mainly when there on technology for its treatment and several times end up discarded inappropriately. Several industries sectors have developed management programs aiming to destiny adequately solid residues produced on their activities. An alternative to solve this problem is the recycling process, which treats the residues as a potential matter to produce new products, focusing to reduce environmental impacts and inappropriate residue discard. In this context, ecological bricks emerge as a great opportunity to recycle, permitting residue incorporation. The present research analyzed compressive strength, retraction and water absorption on adobe bricks, made of soil-lime mixture and reinforced with Kraft paper fibers. Blocks were made with 7% lime content and with 0%, 8%, 10% e 12% fiber addiction. The results demonstrated that soil-lime-fiber blocks, with indicated lime content and fiber addiction, did not presented results that satisfy normative criteria to be used as a innovative material.

Steel slag and iron ore tailings to produce solid brick

The main goals of this work were to verify the potential of reuse of steel slag and iron ore tailings as secondary raw materials to produce solid brick and to evaluate whether this application can consume the amount of slag generated in Brazil. The feasibility of this application was verified through a comparative study. The mechanical behavior of concrete artifacts and pressed bricks made from residues was compared with others described in the literature. The residues were initially characterized using chemical and granulometric analysis. The bricks were produced by mixing different compositions of the residues with the addition of cement in the contents of 0 and 5%. The bricks were pressed in a manual mechanical press and sent to curing. The values of flexural strength of the bricks were higher than 2.0 MPa, and the average weight of the bricks was like those found in the ecological bricks. The simulation with the construction of houses showed that the proposed application can consume the amount of slag generated in Brazil. The generation of the income from carbon credits associated with CO2 reduction is an incentive to implement environmental management tools in Quadrilatero Ferrifero territory, specifically, industrial symbiosis and the carbon market.