Eco-Friendly Fired Clay Bricks

Abstract

Fired clay bricks has been manufactured the same way for decades which makes it old and uncompetitive compared to other products like concrete. If they want to stay in the market for more years, researchers must improve their quality. The main objective of this work is to enhance the process of making bricks, this study aims to improve the thermal conductivity of the bricks and decrease the environmental issues related to it. The process of making bricks will be described and analyzed in the second part of this paper, and solutions will be proposed to the Moroccan companies to enhance the process. The main goal in the third part is to study the effect of a smaller grain size distribution on the properties of the brick by manufacturing two kind of brick: handmade fired brick and foam fired brick. The properties of the bricks manufactured in the lab will be compared to normal bricks, in order, to study the physical, thermal and mechanical properties that characterize each type. Foam bricks will show great result concerning the apparent porosity and the water absorption which will lead to a better thermal insulation. Handmade bricks will be characterized by the best density and linear dying shrinkage which can lead to a better mechanical strength. Normal bricks will show combined properties.