Sustainable clay bricks incorporating textile sludge, quarry dust, lime, and GGBS: an investigation of strength parameters

Abstract

The construction industry faces growing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, particularly in resource consumption and waste generation. Textile sludge, a byproduct of textile manufacturing, poses a disposal challenge despite its potential use in building materials. This study explores the feasibility of utilizing textile sludge as a partial replacement for clay in sustainable brick production. Researchers tested the compressive strength of various brick mixtures containing quarry dust, lime, slag, and varying percentages of textile sludge (5%, 10%, and 15%). The results demonstrate that while incorporating textile sludge can affect compressive strength, optimized mixtures can still yield viable bricks, even with up to 15% textile sludge content. This approach promotes resource circularity and advances sustainable practices within the construction industry. These findings are consistent with previous research on utilizing industrial waste in brickmaking. Furthermore, this method could potentially reduce waste and minimize the environmental footprint of cement production by incorporating industrial byproducts like fly ash and lime mud as cementitious components. Additionally, replacing clinker with brick fines in cement manufacturing offers a promising avenue for lowering the building industry's overall carbon footprint.