Title: Enhancement of concrete performance by using compound mixture of waste pottery and red brick powders

Authors: Umer Safeer; Raja Bilal Nasar Khan; Anwar Khitab

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur-10250, (AJ&K), Pakistan ' Department of Civil Engineering, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur-10250, (AJ&K), Pakistan ' Department of Civil Engineering, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur-10250, (AJ&K), Pakistan

Abstract: Waste pottery objects and broken bricks were collected from dumping sites, crushed, and milled to a fine powder. The compound mixture was added to concrete blends as a partial replacement for cement at the rate of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%. The hardened specimens were subjected to density and various mechanical strength tests. Test results revealed that with a 2%-3% rise in density, the strength could be increased by 11%-15%. The increase in density and strength was caused by the development of higher calcium-silicate-hydrate gel and dense packing. Waste ceramic particles absorbed more water and caused a delay in cement lubrication at the mixing stage (retarding effect). The water absorption in the fresh state reduced shrinkage cracks within the matrix at later stages. The compound mixture of pottery and brick powder as cement replacement reduces the cost and shrinkage and enhances the density, strength, and durability of cementitious composites.

Keywords: concrete; cement; partial replacement; ceramic powder; brick powder; workability; density; shrinkage; mechanical strength.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMRI.2025.144878

International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation, 2025 Vol.10 No.2, pp.206 - 228

Received: 09 Aug 2023
Accepted: 23 Oct 2023
Published online: 06 Mar 2025 *

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