Article: Tri-waste geobrick innovation: performance evaluation of earth bricks over laterite, crushed palm seed, and rice husk ash Journal: International Journal of Structural Engineering (IJSTRUCTE) 2026 Vol.16 No.3 pp.346 - 372 Abstract: Climate change, escalating construction demand, and increasing resource scarcity have intensified the need for sustainable and low-cost building materials, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions. Conventional fired clay bricks are energy-intensive, non-renewable, and associated with high greenhouse gas emissions, while offering limited thermal resistance and environmental adaptability. Addressing these limitations, this study proposes a novel tri-waste geo-brick formulated using laterite, crushed palm seed (CPS), and rice husk ash (RHA) as an unfired compressed stabilised earth brick (CSEB). Five mix combinations were developed using Taguchi experimental design and evaluated through ASTM/EN standards, supported by SEM, XRD, FTIR, life-cycle assessment, and cost-benefit analysis. Results indicate that mix 4 and mix 5 achieved optimal performance, with 5.4 MPa compressive strength, 1.21 W/m·K thermal conductivity, water absorption below 13%, and minimal shrinkage. Overall, the tri-waste geo-brick demonstrates significant carbon and cost savings, offering a scalable circular-economy-based construction solution. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Tri-waste geobrick innovation: performance evaluation of earth bricks over laterite, crushed palm seed, and rice husk ash

Authors: K. Chithra; M. Bhuvaneshwari

Addresses: School of Architecture and Interior Design (SAID), SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur – 603 203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India ' Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur – 603 203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: Climate change, escalating construction demand, and increasing resource scarcity have intensified the need for sustainable and low-cost building materials, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions. Conventional fired clay bricks are energy-intensive, non-renewable, and associated with high greenhouse gas emissions, while offering limited thermal resistance and environmental adaptability. Addressing these limitations, this study proposes a novel tri-waste geo-brick formulated using laterite, crushed palm seed (CPS), and rice husk ash (RHA) as an unfired compressed stabilised earth brick (CSEB). Five mix combinations were developed using Taguchi experimental design and evaluated through ASTM/EN standards, supported by SEM, XRD, FTIR, life-cycle assessment, and cost-benefit analysis. Results indicate that mix 4 and mix 5 achieved optimal performance, with 5.4 MPa compressive strength, 1.21 W/m·K thermal conductivity, water absorption below 13%, and minimal shrinkage. Overall, the tri-waste geo-brick demonstrates significant carbon and cost savings, offering a scalable circular-economy-based construction solution.

Keywords: compressed stabilised earth brick; CSEB; rice husk ash; RHA; crushed palm seed; CPS; laterite; sustainable building material; thermal conductivity; SEM; XRD; life-cycle assessment; LCA; cost-benefit analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTRUCTE.2026.155415

International Journal of Structural Engineering, 2026 Vol.16 No.3, pp.346 - 372

Received: 24 Jul 2025
Accepted: 03 Dec 2025
Published online: 31 Jul 2026 *

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Title: Tri-waste geobrick innovation: performance evaluation of earth bricks over laterite, crushed palm seed, and rice husk ash

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