A group of engineers at RMIT University in Australia has developed environmentally friendly bricks based on waste such as glass, which is normally discarded in landfills, proving to be energy efficient.
Reduction of invoices by up to 5%.
In collaboration with Visy, Australia’s largest recycling company, engineers have manufactured bricks composed of at least 15% waste glass and 20% incinerated solid waste (ash), replacing traditional clay.
Tests revealed that these bricks, when used in the construction of a single-story home, can lower household energy bills by up to 5% compared to conventional bricks, due to their improved insulation capabilities.
In addition, replacing clay with waste materials in brick manufacturing reduced the firing temperature by up to 20% compared to traditional mixes, which could translate into significant savings for manufacturers.
How is the recycling process of ecological bricks?
The process of recycling process for the manufacture of these “energy smart bricks” begins with the collection and cleaning of waste glass and industrial ash. These materials are crushed and mixed with a small amount of clay to create a homogeneous mass that is then molded and dried.
The bricks are fired at lower temperatures than conventional ones, which saves energy and reduces pollutant emissions. pollutant emissions s emissions, before being cooled and checked for quality assurance.
This method reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. landfills and also reduces the exploitation of natural resources such as clay and harmful gas emissions. The resulting brick is safe and efficient and complies with current structural and environmental standards, thus contributing to improving the energy efficiency of buildings and promoting more economical construction.
A step towards more efficient buildings
According to associate professor Dilan Robert, team leader, about 1.4 trillion bricks are used in construction projects worldwide each year.
“Traditional brick production emits harmful pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and chlorine, and puts significant pressure on natural resources, especially clay,” said Dilan of RMIT’s School of Engineering.
The team’s research, published in the international journal Construction and Building Materials, demonstrates the potential of these new bricks to improve the energy efficiency of homes and workplaces, thanks to their superior thermal performance. The technology also meets the key requirements set by Standards Australia (AS 3700) for fired clay bricks.
“Bricks are crucial to prevent energy loss in buildings,” Robert noted. “We can manufacture lightweight bricks in a variety of colors, from white to dark red, by modifying our formulations.”
RMIT and Visy alliance
Dr. Biplob Pramanik, an environmental engineer on the RMIT team, assured that these new bricks are safe for use in construction projects and comply with state environmental regulations.
In Victoria, Visy recycles glass containers into new bottles and jars, but pieces of glass smaller than 3 mm (known as fines) cannot be recycled into containers.
“We are focused on expanding the production process to facilitate the commercialization of our innovative bricks in collaboration with Melbourne brick manufacturers,” Robert said.
Paul Andrich, director of innovation projects at Visy, expressed satisfaction at finding a solution for glass that cannot be recycled into food and beverage containers. “Diverting this waste into bricks with additional insulation, rather than sending it to landfills, is another way to boost the circular economy“, he stated.
The research team is now looking to collaborate with industries to explore the use of waste materials in other building products.
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Source and photo: rmit
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