COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LATERITIC BRICKS STABILIZED WITH CEMENT PARTIALLY REPLACED WITH POWDERED GLASS.

ABSTRACT

This study presents a thorough comparative examination of lateritic bricks stabilized with partially replaced cement and crushed glass as eco-friendly alternatives in construction materials. The research aims to assess the mechanical properties, durability, environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness of each stabilization approach to offer valuable insights for researchers. The study involved incorporating crushed glass as an additional additive in the production of cement-stabilized bricks with powdered glass. The bricks were manufactured using a 1:1 ratio of powdered glass to laterite stabilized with 35% cement. Crushed glass was introduced as a substitute for cement in increments ranging from 5% to 15%. Subsequently, the various mix proportions were molded into bricks using the hand molding method, air-dried, and subjected to sprinkle curing for a period of 28 days. The results indicate that the inclusion of crushed glass in the brick mixture led to an enhancement in brick strength, although the maximum strength attained did not surpass that of the control specimen. However, the strength exceeded the minimum recommended strength by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for stabilized blocks and burnt bricks. Notably, the sample containing 5% powdered glass demonstrated the highest compressive strength of 9.782 MPa after 21 days of curing, while the sample with 15% powdered glass content exhibited the lowest compressive strength of 7.523 MPa at the same curing duration. Additionally, there was a slight reduction in water absorption, and no efflorescence was observed in any of the combinations. These findings shed light on the potential of stabilized lateritic bricks as sustainable building materials.