Development and investigation of cellular light weight bio-briquette ash bricks

The present paper deals with the development of cellular light weight bricks using bio-briquette ash. The necessary physical and chemical tests were conducted on a bio-briquette ash sample to investigate its suitability for the development of bricks. Physico-mechanical, durability and thermal conductivity tests were conducted on cellular light weight bio-briquette ash bricks that fulfilled the requirements of Indian standard. The test results of cellular light weight bio-briquette ash bricks were compared with commercially available fly ash bricks. With reference to fly ash bricks, the cellular light weight bio-briquette ash bricks were found 43 % light in weight, having 13 % higher compressive strength and resulted in 66 % lesser thermal conductivity. A small scale model room (1 m × 1 m × 1 m) made up of fly ash bricks was designed. A similar built form for the cellular light weight bio-briquette ash bricks was also modelled. Both the models were analysed for indoor temperature control and cost. When compared with fly ash model room, cellular light weight bio-briquette ash brick model resulted in a 6 % better indoor temperature control and 29 % cost savings. Thus, the developed cellular light weight bio-briquette ash bricks were found suitable as an alternate construction material for non-load bearing walls.