International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 11 Issue: 04 | Apr 2024
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
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Tentative Study on the Structural Enhancement of Lightweight Interlocking Composite Blocks with Wood Ash and Wheat Agro-Waste Mr.K. Srinivasan1, Gokul M2, Shasidhar P2, Sriram M2 1Assistant Professor, M. Tech, Department of Civil Engineering, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College,
Madagadipet, Puducherry, India
2UG Students, Department of Civil Engineering, Sri manakula Vinayagar Engineering College, Madagadipet,
Puducherry, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract – The construction sector is increasingly called
environmentally friendly materials, such as fly ash, wood ash, and agricultural residues like wheat and rice husks, have been recognized for their potential to improve bricks’ thermal insulation, reduce weight, and increase compressive strength. These enhancements depend on the specific proportions of additives used and the brick firing techniques employed [1-9].
upon to embrace eco-friendly methods, with a focus on diminishing the use of finite resources and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. In response, this paper details the creation of large-volume, lightweight interlocking composite blocks that surpass the size of standard bricks. These blocks are crafted to lock together without the need for cement mortar, which is a staple in traditional building. The materials used include clay, cement, water, and organic fibers. The clay portion is substituted with 30% wood ash, 6% wheat straw, 6% wheat husk, and 28% M53 grade cement. The balance of 30% consists of clay. The paper examines wood ash sourced from industrial and factory waste, highlighting its role in enhancing the block's lightness and in the repurposing of waste. The use of natural fibers like wheat husk and straw is explored for their contribution to the block's reduced weight and structural reinforcement. These repurposed materials serve as a green alternative to traditional components, aiding the industry in achieving its sustainability objectives. The blocks underwent a battery of tests to assess compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths, along with overall endurance, heat resistance, and impermeability to water. The outcomes indicated compressive strength at 18.21 N/mm2, tensile strength at 0.879 N/mm2, and flexural strength at 3.45 N/mm2. This project signifies a significant stride in sustainable building, offering numerous benefits in terms of flexibility and ecological footprint.
In practical and engineering scenarios, focusing on optimizing a single objective often leads to suboptimal outcomes for other objectives. Consequently, it’s typical to amalgamate multiple objective functions into one. Crafting an ideal objective function that simultaneously optimizes all objectives is an arduous task. Therefore, for problems with multiple objectives, it’s advantageous to establish a satisfactory spectrum of solutions for each goal. Multiobjective evolutionary algorithms are widely used methodologies for developing a set of solutions that are Pareto optimal [10,11]. Currently, the construction industry employs a variety of interlocking dry-stacked blocks and bricks. These are tailored in diverse sizes, shapes, and compositions, reflecting the materials accessible in their place of production and the preferences of the manufacturer. Notable among the array of interlocking blocks are systems like the Mecano, Sparfil, Haener, and Sparlock system [12]. They also introduced Silblock-1 and Silblock-2, composed of cement, sand, and 12 mm aggregate. These blocks are categorized into three-unit types: stretcher, jamb, and corner, averaging dimensions of 400 mm in length, 150 mm in width, and 200 mm in height.
Key Words: Wood Ash, Wheat Straw, Wheat Husk, Lightweight Interlocking composite block, Sustainability.
The manufacture of cement is a major environmental concern, contributing to roughly 4-5% of global CO₂ emissions. The ecological footprint of cement production extends beyond carbon emissions, encompassing issues such as water pollution from runoff, urban heat islands, airborne particulate matter, and emissions of hazardous substances like NOx, SO₂, and CO. In the context of residential construction, the use of cement mortar is notably substantial. To illustrate, a standard 1:4 mortar mix requires about 8 bags of cement, each weighing 50 kg (totalling approximately 383 kg), to prepare 1 cubic meter (1m³) of mortar. The procurement of topsoil for the manufacture of bricks contributes to soil erosion and land degradation. The operation of brick kilns involves the extraction of topsoil,
1.INTRODUCTION Innovations in eco-friendly building techniques have led to the creation of lightweight interlocking composite blocks. These blocks are engineered to connect seamlessly, boasting a greater volume than traditional bricks. Their unique design forgoes the requirement for cement mortar, commonly employed in standard masonry. This advancement tackles critical ecological issues related to the manufacturing of cement and the degradation of soil. Incorporating additives into brick production not only reduces the need for clay but also improves their physical and mechanical characteristics. The selection of additives is crucial for the construction industry’s move towards sustainability. A variety of
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