Potential Use of Water Treatment Sludge as Partial Replacement for Clay in Eco-Friendly Fired Clay Bricks

Masoud Ahmadi (), Babak Hakimi, Ahmadreza Mazaheri and Mahdi Kioumarsi
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Masoud Ahmadi: Department of Civil Engineering, Ayatollah Boroujerdi University, Boroujerd 6919969737, Iran
Babak Hakimi: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115397, Iran
Ahmadreza Mazaheri: Department of Civil Engineering, Ayatollah Boroujerdi University, Boroujerd 6919969737, Iran
Mahdi Kioumarsi: Department of Built Environment, OsloMet-Oslo Metropolitan University, Pilestredet 35, 0166 Oslo, Norway

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-13

Abstract: The traditional production process of clay bricks involves the extraction of significant amounts of raw materials and consumes considerable energy, leading to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. Using environmentally friendly materials in the construction industry has become an attractive alternative for mitigating sustainability issues. One such alternative is incorporating waste materials, such as water treatment sludge (WTS), into clay brick production. This research aims to assess the viability of using WTS as a replacement for conventional clay in fired clay brick production, thereby mitigating environmental pollution. Five distinct mixtures were created, with WTS replacing clay at 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80% ratios. The mechanical properties and durability of the produced bricks were analyzed through various tests, such as Atterberg limits, optimum water content, unconfined compression, apparent porosity, compressive strength, flexural strength, density, water absorption, and efflorescence. The results demonstrated that as WTS content increased, Atterberg limits and apparent porosity increased. The bulk density, compressive strength, and bending capacity of the specimens were found to decrease as the WTS replacement ratio increased. Additionally, moderate efflorescence was observed in samples with higher sludge ratios.

Keywords: eco-friendly; brick; water treatment sludge; environmental pollution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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