PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF CEMENT WITH EGGSHELL ASH FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A SUSTAINABLE SANDCRETE BRICK

ABSTRACT

The construction industry's environmental impact has initiated research into sustainable building materials to control resource depletion and reduce carbon emissions. This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing eggshell ash (ESA) as a partial replacement for cement in the production of sandcrete bricks for efficiency. Sandcrete bricks, widely used in construction, typically contribute to high cement consumption, resulting in increased carbon footprints. The experimental investigation involves varying percentages of Eggshell ash obtained and used to replace cement partially in specified ratios of 0%, 10%, and 20% as proferred by the Design Expert software with the response surface methodology. Physical and mechanical properties, including compressive strength, water absorption, and density, are evaluated to assess the performance of the sustainable bricks. The sandcrete bricks were cast and cured in ages of 3, 16 and 28 days respectively based on the results from the response surface methodology. Compressive strength test was carried out on the bricks. The results showed that the sandcrete mortar strength decreased with increasing replacement with the eggsell ash (ESA). The potential of ESA as a supplementary cementitious and substitute fine aggregate material may offer some eco friendly alternative at a specified percentage replacement which at 10-15% is recommended from the practical and results obtained at 5.423N/mm2 at curing days of 16.