abstract
The issue of the ever increasing demand for construction materials and waste management has created a
need for the development of sustainable materials with the appropriate utilization of wastes. This paper
presents the study of the use of bio-briquette ash (BBA) for the development of bricks. Physico-chemical
property investigations for a BBA sample were conducted, and the sample was found to be suitable as an
alternative raw material for the partial substitution of sand. For the development of the bricks, BBA was
added according to the partial replacement method (5e55%) for sand, keeping the cement percentage
constant. Six compositions were prepared with 10 wt% variations. The developed product was tested
according to the Indian Standards (IS) for density, compressive strength, water absorption and efflorescence
along with the durability and thermal properties. The effect of the addition of the BBA on the
brick properties was investigated. Thirty-five weight percent BBA, 55 wt% sand and 10 wt% cement were
the optimal mix composition for the developed BBA bricks that fulfilled the desired properties of IS. The
developed BBA bricks were found to have better mechanical and thermal properties and were more
economical than commercially available fly ash and clay bricks. The developed bricks are recommended
for non-load bearing walls.