Application of biocementation to enhance performance of fly ash bricks

The current study endeavors to apply biocementation to enhance the properties of fly ash bricks. These bricks provide a greener substitute to traditional burnt clay bricks. They employ fly ash which is a residue produced during coal combustion. The utilization of fly ash bricks helps in combating the environmental concerns which arise when burnt clay bricks are used on a large scale. With the advent of commercial utilization of fly ash bricks, there is a necessity to make fly ash bricks more environmentally sound which can be fulfilled by adopting biocementation in the form of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICCP). The results of this study showed that an average increase of nearly 29% can be achieved in the compressive strength of these bricks without applying external compaction or alternate curing methods. Similar results were obtained when these experimental bricks were subjected to other durability and analytical tests. The integration of biocementation in fly ash brick production holds immense potential in the form of sustainable construction. It can contribute vastly by offering a viable alternative to carbon-intensive traditional bricks ultimately reducing environmental impact while enhancing material performance.