Evaluating the Feasibility of Using Brick Powder and Clay Powder in Cement Replacement

The cement industry is a major source of CO2 emissions, prompting a growing need for sustainable alternatives. Researchers have explored various materials to replace or supplement cement in construction. While some studies have examined the use of industrial byproducts, fewer have focused on locally available materials like brick and clay powders. These materials may offer environmental and economic benefits if they can maintain structural integrity. However, the long-term durability and mechanical properties of such replacements remain uncertain. The role of particle size in influencing performance is not fully understood. Previous work has not clearly addressed the thermal resistance of modified cement pastes. This gap motivated the current investigation into the feasibility of using brick and clay powders as partial cement replacements. The study aims to assess both mechanical and thermal behavior in modified cement composites.

This study aimed to evaluate the use of brick powder and clay powder as partial replacements for cement in cement paste. The goal was to determine if these materials could enhance mechanical and thermal properties without compromising performance. Researchers focused on replacement levels up to 20% by weight. They examined the physical and mechanical characteristics of the modified pastes. The study also included an assessment of resistance to short-term thermal shock at 250°C. An additional objective was to model compressive strength using support vector machine algorithms. The researchers sought to understand how particle size affects the role of these powders as microfillers. This work contributes to the development of sustainable construction materials with improved thermal resistance.

The study involved characterizing raw materials like brick powder and clay powder. Researchers prepared cement pastes with varying replacement levels of these materials. They tested the physical and mechanical properties of the modified pastes. A thermal shock test at 250°C was conducted to assess resistance. The support vector machine (SVM) algorithm was used to model compressive strength. The modeling process included training the algorithm on experimental data. Researchers compared predicted and actual compressive strength values. The study combined experimental testing with computational modeling to evaluate performance.

The modified cement pastes showed a significant increase in tensile strength, up to 100% in some cases. Thermal resistance also improved in pastes containing brick and clay powders. The support vector machine model predicted compressive strength with high accuracy (R2 = 0.90). These results suggest the model is reliable for predicting strength in modified cement composites. The study found that brick powder acts more as a microfiller than a pozzolanic additive. The grain size of brick powder influences its role in the cement matrix. Clay powder also contributed to enhanced mechanical properties. The findings indicate that these materials can be viable partial replacements for cement.

The study suggests that brick and clay powders can enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of cement pastes. The results support the use of these materials as partial replacements for cement. The support vector machine model proved effective in predicting compressive strength. The role of brick powder as a microfiller was confirmed by the findings. The study provides insights into the performance of modified cement composites under thermal shock. The results may inform future research on sustainable construction materials. The findings align with the authors' hypothesis about the behavior of these powders. The study contributes to the understanding of alternative cementitious materials.