Utilization of Wet Silica Sand Sludge as an Additive in Sustainable Brick Production

The conversion of waste of Wet Silica Sand Sludge into useful products such as bricks, glassware and ceramics is an alternative solid waste management method. Aim of this study is the deter-mining the effect of silica sand wet sludge additive on the bricks quality. For this purpose labor-atory scale brick manufacturing was implemented by using 10 %, 30 %, 50 % and 100 % of sludge into clay brick. Also original 100 % clay-brick) brick was prepared and compared with the other compositions. The obtained experimental samples were fired at temperatures of 800 ºC, 850 ºC and 900 ºC. For proper brick characterization to understand the quality; the water absorption, shrinkage, bulk density, compressive strength and SEM analysis of sintered samples have been done. At the end of the experimental procedure, any negative effect of sludge addition was de-termined. Experimental studies revealed that a product with the desired color could be obtained when 50% W3S was used in the mixture. In addition, the optimal composition for making bricks was found to be a mixture of 50% W3S and 50% brick clay, fired at 850°C. With this mixture, not only is the preferred color achieved, but also an optimum balance between mechanical strength, durability, and minimization of environmental damage is attained. Such a formulation ensures high compressive strength, low porosity, and low water absorption, making it sustainable and a better choice in construction with industrial byproducts use. The results obtained are useful in showing possibilities for the solution of environmental problems to utilize the waste materials into useful product.