Advancements in Sustainable Green Buildings: The Multifaceted Benefits of Brick Powder as a Cement Alternative

The growing need for a cleaner, sustainable environment has increased interest in reusing waste materials that cause pollution. In this research, the mechanical (dry density, compressive, and tensile strength) and also durability properties (sorptivity, rate of water absorption, chloride ion resistance, and resistance to freeze–thaw) of concrete were studied by partially substituting cement with brick powder (BP) and sand with quarry dust (QD). The proportions of brick powder replacement with cement were in the range of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight. Likewise, QD was used in the range of 15%, 30%, 45%, and 60% by weight of natural sand. Both materials were used separately as well as simultaneously in concrete. Concrete mixtures were prepared, tested after curing, and then compared with conventional concrete. The water–cement (w/c) ratio was kept constant at 0.55 for all the mixes. According to experimental results, the concrete made with brick powder and quarry dust resulted in improved dry density. After curing for 28 and 56 days, the compressive and splitting tensile strengths increased by substituting cement with brick powder up to 15%. Brick powder showed a higher strength activity index than required according to the standard. Also, compressive and splitting tensile strengths significantly increased by replacing natural sand with quarry dust up to 60% at all curing ages. Combined mixes with partial replacements of cement and sand with brick powder and quarry dust, respectively, also showed improvements in the compressive and splitting tensile strength at all ages. Sorptivity and rate of water absorption decreased with the addition of BP and QD. Moreover, brick powder and quarry dust mixes showed higher resistance to chloride ion penetrability and higher resistance to freeze–thaw as the replacement level increased. Microstructural analysis of hard concrete samples also confirmed the enhanced mechanical strength and durability due to brick powder and quarry dust.