Influence of Surkhi on Various Properties of Concrete Bricks

Abstract

This paper investigates the influence of surkhi on properties of concrete bricks. In this topic surkhi which is considered as a waste material is used as a replacement of fine aggregates. The various tests pertaining to bricks are conducted on bricks in which fine aggregate is replaced by surkhi. The results are then studied at various replacements of fine aggregate by surkhi. Due to the fact that surkhi is a waste material which has pozzolanic properties can be used to produce concrete bricks of better quality. Due to the properties of surkhi there is a gradual increase in compressive strength in earlier stages and gradual decrease of compressive strength is obtained in later stages, this may be attributed to high bleeding and shrinkage properties of surkhi. Not only the compressive strength of the bricks but also the other properties like efflorescence, soundness, hardness, structure and other properties of bricks are effected considerably. In general these properties get better and the quality of bricks is increased. Also the fine aggregate used in this experimental method is stone dust but not sand, because stone dust has some better properties than sand such as it is finer than sand. Since surkhi is a pozzolanic waste material, it not only makes the brick economical but also increases the compressive strength of the brick to a considerable extent.