Structural Properties of Baked Clay Bricks Fired with Alternate Fuels

Abstract

Coal is used as a traditional fuel for firing of clay bricks in kilns. The cost of coal is high and is increasing continuously. This paper describes the effect of alternate fuels on compressive strength, water absorption and density of fired clay bricks. The alternate fuels used in this study were 1) rapeseed husk (Type I), 2) combination of sugarcane-bagasse, rice husk and used clothes (Type II) and 3) coal (Type III). The results show that compressive strength of bricks fired using Type I and Type II fuels was decreased to 11% and 7%, respectively, compared to those fired with coal. However, the values of water absorption and density of bricks fired with Type I and Type II fuels were almost same as exhibited by those baked with coal. This study shows that a saving of 25%, and 18% could be achieved when the bricks were fired using Type I and Type II fuels, respectively, compared to those fired with coal.