Replacement of Fine Aggregates of Concrete by Over Burnt Bricks and Broken Tiles

Nazima Imtiaz , Richika Rathore

In this research work, study of the effect on the properties of concrete: (compressive strength, split tensile strength and workability in particular) by the replacement of conventional fine aggregates:(sand), by a pulverized mixture of Over-burnt Bricks and Broken Tiles, in equivalent proportions was carried out. Over burnt bricks and broken tiles are among toxic constructional waste products thus, their use in the form of fine aggregates will serve as a purpose and it will also help to mitigate their disposal problems. Sand is a naturally available resource thus in order to minimize its exploitation use of these waste materials as fine aggregates provides an alternative thereby reducing burden on the environment. Replacement of conventional fine aggregates by over burnt bricks and broken tiles also makes the concrete economical, more water proof, resistant to cracks as well as resilient to various alkali and chemical attacks compared to conventional concrete with no any such replacements that too without reducing strength. In conduction of tests, definite proportion of conventional fine aggregate:(sand), was substituted in various trials, till 100% of sand got replaced by mixture of pulverized over burnt bricks and broken tiles. The results obtained for various tests conducted on samples with replacements were examined and   compared with the results of standard design mix of M25 grade concrete. The test observations revealed that, as the percentage of replacement of fine aggregate (sand) by a mixture of overburnt bricks and broken tiles increased, the strength of concrete mix first decreased then increased with respect to standard M25 grade concrete with 0% or no replacement of the conventional fine aggregates(sand) and the maximum value of strength attained was at 80% replacement of fine aggregate by pulverized overburnt bricks and broken tiles mixture.