A DETAILED STUDY ON PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF FINE AGGREGATES WITH BRICK DEBRIS ON THE COMPREHENSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE

ABSTRACT

Concrete is the most material being used in infrastructure development throughout the world. Fine aggregate is a prime material used for preparation of mortar and concrete and which plays a major role in mix design. Fine aggregates are the weathered and worn out particles of rocks and are of various grades or sizes depending upon the amount of wearing. Now-days fine aggregate is not readily available, it is transported from a long distance. Those resources are also exhausting very rapidly. The non-availability or shortage of fine aggregate will affect the construction industry, hence there is a need to find the new alternative material to replace the fine aggregate, such that harm to environment is prevented. Many researchers are finding different materials to replace fine aggregate. This study aimed to investigate the suitability of using brick debris in concrete in place of fine aggregate. Brick debris originated from demolished masonry walls crushed in the laboratory and added in partial fine aggregate replacement. Four replacement levels, 5%, 10%, and 15%, were compared with the control. The tests on concrete showed that the mechanical properties (compressive strength test) of concrete containing brick debris were well comparable to those of the concrete without ground brick. The initial test specimen had 0% replacement, which meant that no Brick debris was used at all. The outcome was noted and utilized as the baseline for the 5%, 10%, and 15% replacements that came after. A slump test was conducted. The concretes’ compressive strength was evaluated after 7, 14, and 28 days of cure. Following a series of experiments involving the partial replacement of fine aggregate at 5%, 10%, and 15% with brick debris, the results showed that a replacement in the 10% range was the most optimal. This suggests that leftover brick debris particles can replace up to 10% of the fine aggregate in concrete, resulting in a concrete with good strength and excellent workability. As a result, it can significantly save building costs because less granite, an extremely costly stone, will need to be used