Influence of fluxing oxides from waste on the production and physico-mechanical properties of fired clay brick: A review

The Construction industry can act as a major receptor for different kinds of agro-industrial and municipal wastes due to the high demand for construction materials. Therefore, various researchers have conducted studies on recycling and reuse potential of solid wastes coming from different sources. This summary reviews the wide range of investigations (1998-2019), which have explored the addition of many types of fluxing waste into fired clay bricks. The current study offers a comprehensive guideline on the influence of fluxing oxides on production (molding pressure, soaking time and firing temperature), physical properties (water absorption, bulk density, firing shrinkage) and mechanical properties (compressive and flexural strength) of clay bricks. The optimum amounts of different wastes for effective waste usage in brick fabrication were extracted from experimental results of a large database. Optimization was also done analytically by applying the multi-criteria decision-making technique considering shaping method, physical and mechanical properties, simultaneously. It is summarized that incorporation of fluxing waste benefits the manufacturing process by optimizing plasticity and reducing firing temperature through early sintering. In addition, it also enhances the physical and mechanical properties of bricks within the optimum replacement levels. The outcomes of this work may guide to establish codes and standardize fluxing waste incorporation in the manufacturing of bricks.