Use of Waste Marble Powder and Sugarcane Bagasse Ash in the Production of Bricks

Abstract

Due to their structural stability, thermal drawback and beauty, clay bricks have remained among the most used construction commodities. However, the old methods of producing bricks rely very much on natural clay, which produces severe ecological degradation and drainage of fertile soils. As a solution to these problems, this paper discusses the idea of using waste marble powder (WMP) and sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) as partial substitutes for clay as a raw material in brickmaking. Compressive strength, water absorption, efflorescence, soundness, and hardness were tested with the mixed proportions made in twenty-five mix combinations with the WMP/SBA contents of 0 to 40 per cent and the specimens were tested in line with the ASTM standards. The experimental results revealed that compressive strength gradually decreased with an increase in the content of waste, particularly at higher content of SBA; nevertheless, water absorption and efflorescence did not surpass the tolerable limits of mixes with the maximum replacement of 30 percent combined. Besides this threshold, the performance reduced drastically, with mixes of 20% SBA and 10% WMP experiencing the highest reduced strengthening. It is interesting to note that the source of WMP in Warsak Road, Peshawar, is local, and this fact also shows that the sustainable production of bricks can be producible in the region. This evidence suggests that even the combination of WMP and SBA by 30 percent can be combined without worsening the structural and durability requirements, which is a positive direction for the conservation of resources, using waste, and building in an ecologically friendly fashion.