Abstract: Burnt clay brick is one of the ancient building material. The use of waste materials in bricks can lessen the consumption of clay material and reduce the environmental burden due to accumulation of waste materials. Furthermore, addition of recycled materials can decrease the high carbon footprint. In the current study, bricks were manufactured using fly ash (by-product of coal) and conventional earthen materials. Fly ash was acquired from the coal power plant. Manufacturing of brick specimens was done in a local brick industry. The main variable in this study was the percentage of fly ash (i.e. 0–25% of clay). Results indicate that the compressive strength of bricks incorporating fly ash was lower as compared to that of clay bricks without fly ash. However, compressive strength of bricks incorporating up to 20% of fly ash satisfied the minimum requirements of the Pakistan Building Code. Reduction in weight was also observed in the fly ash bricks which would lead to overall weight reduction of the structures. Furthermore, less efflorescence was observed in bricks incorporating fly ash. Therefore, it can be concluded that clay bricks incorporating fly ash can be helpful in producing more sustainable bricks leading to economical solution.

Abstract: In this study, masonry and its material characteristics such as compressive strength of masonry prisms, bricks, mortars as well as bond strength (i.e., flexural and shear bond strengths) of brick and mortar joint are determined experimentally. The compressive stress-strain curves of brick, mortar, and masonry have been plotted and five control points have been identified on the stress-strain curve of masonry. The control points on the stress-strain curve would be useful for performance based design of masonry. Four types of bricks and three different types of mortars have been used in the experimental study. The compressive strength of masonry and flexural bond strength are determined with a test on five bricks stack bonded prisms. A bond wrench apparatus fabricated as per ASTM standards was used for flexural bond strength test. The shear bond strength of masonry is predicted using masonry triplet. It is observed that the concrete bricks have low flexural as well as shear bond strengths due to less contact area.

Abstract: This paper presents recent efforts that used polyurea to reinforce clay brick masonry unit walls in dynamic event. In order to investigate the peak pressure of damage, failure modes and failure mechanisms of spray-on polyurea reinforced clay brick masonry unit walls subjected to blast, six tests were performed. The results of tests suggest that the polyurea layer can have a significant effect on the damage pressure of the clay brick masonry unit wall and aerated concrete block wall. The primary damage of the clay brick masonry unit wall are the fracture of the brick and the mortar crack that extended from top to bottom at the center of the wall. The deformation of clay brick wall is minimal. The failure modes of the aerated concrete block wall are the most mortar crack and dominant entire deformation. The polyurea layer can significantly improve blast resistance, and turn the collapse of unreinforced wall into local mortar joint separation and the development of flexure in the walls. The presence of polyurea coat approach offers the potential advantage of more-efficiently absorbing strain energy of host structure. The masonry unit wall test results clearly indicate that the blast resistance of clay brick masonry far exceeds that of aerated concrete block wall. The polyurea layer can effectively prevent the collapse and structural failure of the wall, and minimize producing deadly fragments of the reinforced walls.

Abstract: In the paper, the results of an experimental and numerical study on the out-of-plane bending effectiveness of a modern strengthening technique applied to existing masonry walls are presented. The technique consists in the application, on both wall faces, of a mortar coating reinforced with glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) meshes. Four point bending tests of full scale masonry samples (1000 width, 3000 mm height) were carried out considering three types of masonry (solid brick, 250 mm thick, rubble stone and cobblestones, 400 mm thick). The performances of plain and reinforced specimens were analysed and compared. It emerged that strengthened specimens are able to resist out-of-plane bending moments almost 4–5 times greater than those of plain specimens; moreover they can overcome deflections more than 25 times higher, due to the presence of the GFRP mesh, which contrasts the opening of cracks. The cracking and the ultimate bending moments of reinforced samples can be analytically predicted using relationships quite close to those used in the design of reinforced concrete beams subjected to combined axial and bending actions. The results of nonlinear static analyses performed on a 2D numerical model were also presented, so to comprehend the mechanical behaviour of reinforced masonry walls. Their agreement with the experimental results proved the reliability of the simulations; moreover, the extension of the 2D model to a 3D one, necessary to analyze the behavior of perforated walls, was also made.

Abstract: With the increasing population there is a tremendous exploitation of natural resources to produce conventional building materials such as bricks, cement and reinforcing bars. This exponentially increases their prices and also deteriorates the environment by production of large amount of greenhouse gases. So, there is a need to develop cheap and sustainable infrastructure. This paper presents an alternative sustainable infrastructure component – prefabricated bamboo reinforced walls beneficial for low cost housing. To determine the potential of these panels in the construction industry, the strength analysis along with the cost estimation and environmental impact analysis were also carried out for these panels. It was observed that these walls are 56% lighter in weight, 40% cheaper and have good strength as compared to partition brick walls. The benefits of these walls over the traditional brick walls were observed to be significant, through which it can be concluded that these wall panels have a great potential for low cost housing.

Abstract: Coal gangue, an industrial solid waste discarded from coal mining and processing, was used as the sole raw material to prepare brick. The coal gangue was crushed, homogenized, milled and then pressed into green compacts. The dried compacts were sintered at different temperatures for 2 h. The obtained brick samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and physico-mechanical properties. Results indicate that bricks are composed of glassy phase, crystals of quartz, mullite, cordierite, as well as pores. The phase components, microstructure, and physico-mechanical properties of the bricks vary significantly with the sintering temperature. The linear shrinkage, bulk density, compressive strength, and flexural strength increase gradually with the sintering temperature enhancing from 900 to 1100 °C, and rise sharply to the maximums at 1200 °C, then drop considerably at 1250 °C. The water absorption value exhibits an opposite tendency. Bricks meeting the Chinese Standard GB 5101-2003 were sintered at 1100–1250 °C. The brick sintered at 1200 °C possesses the optimal properties, with the water absorption and compressive strength values of 3.65 % and 45.61 MPa, respectively. The radioactivity index and leaching toxicity of sintered bricks prepared under the optimum condition were all below the corresponding standards.

Abstract: The use of by-products as additives in brick industry is gaining increased research attention due to their effective role in decreasing the total energy needs of industrial furnaces. In addition, these additives leave pores upon burning, causing a decrease in thermal conductivity and affect the mechanical properties of bricks as well. In the present study, various proportions of coal and wheat husk were used as additives in the initial ingredients of clay bricks. Microstructure, thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal diffusivity, water absorption, shrinkage, compressive strength and bulk density of fired clay bricks with and without additives were investigated. Clay bricks containing 5–15 wt.% additives were found to be within the permissible limits for most of the recommended standard specifications.

Abstract: An experimental investigation of compressive failure in masonry made of soft clay bricks is presented. Masonry assemblages are tested to evaluate the influence of the relative strength of mortar on the observed damage evolution and compressive failure. Damage evolution associated with the formation and propagation of vertical splitting cracks during the compressive load response of masonry assemblages in the stack bonded arrangement are studied using a full-field optical technique based on digital image correlation. Using image correlation, clear evidence of the crack forming in the mortar and propagating into the brick is established. Damage is associated with cracking in the mortar due to lateral tension produced by the confined expansion of brick. Failure depends upon the tensile strength of the mortar. In mortar with lower strength than the brick unit, failure is produced by spalling associated with multiple cracks, which results in a loss of load bearing area. For mortar with a higher strength than the brick, cracking occurs when the level of compression is a significant proportion of the compressive strength of the brick material. Localized crushing resulting from localization of strain in a small region at the brick–mortar interface is produced at axial stress close to the unconfined compressive strength of the brick material. Failure in the case of high strength mortar is a result of the localized crushing and the resulting global instability.

Abstract: Clay brick is the most common construction material used in the historical buildings of Diyarbakir (Turkey). Many clay brick manufacturing workshops and numerous brick masters have emerged. Diyarbakir currently has two clay brick workshops that face the problem of being closed down. Therefore, manufacturing of clay brick by traditional methods may be forgotten in Diyarbakir. This study investigates the manufacturing phases of traditional clay bricks in Diyarbakir׳s local workshops, which have not been documented. The manufacturing phases of the clay bricks in Diyarbakir were examined for the first time based on in-situ observations, investigations, and interviews. The research indicated the general phases of clay brick manufacturing. Raw materials are first prepared, formed, and dried. The firing of clay bricks is then performed through hacking, heating, burning, cooling, and de-hacking. The clay bricks are finally packaged and dispatched. The traditional manufacturing of clay brick methods in Diyarbakir is similar in many regions of the world. The clay bricks are currently and extensively used in the restoration of historic structures. Therefore, their production must be continuous.

Abstract: Atmospheric emissions arising from brick manufacturing installations are a significant source of atmospheric pollution globally. Brick kiln input and firing variables, chemical reactions and thermodynamic processes occurring within the firing chamber of brick kilns, impact on the outcome of fired bricks, as well as the quantity and nature of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere. A review of these chemical reactions and thermodynamic processes, as well as their atmospheric emissions and associated process metrics, was conducted to evaluate the sensitivity of emission metrics to these reactions and processes occurring at a specific period within the firing chamber. Brick kiln emission concentrations and process metrics exhibit wide ranges of data variability during a firing cycle, implying that they are sensitive to these chemical reactions and thermodynamic processes. Kiln emission control efforts aimed at modifying the combustion and firing process in order to alter the chemical reactions and thermodynamic processes in a way that will result in the release of lower quantity of emissions, are proffered. Kiln technologies were ranked from lowest to highest potential for atmospheric pollution based on available emission metrics as follows: Vertical shaft