THE EFFECT OF ADDITION OF WASTE GLASS ON THE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LOCAL BRICK

Abstract

The present paper investigates the ability of using waste glass (as a powder or as a crushed particles) as a partial substitute by weight of the clay used in the manufacturing local clay brick .Crushed glass was added with 5, 10, 20, and 30% to the soil and mixed with water to the "shrinkage limit" and molded to specimens with a dimension similar to that of local clay brick. Then they were dried and fired in a kiln of local brick factory in order to be exposed to the same condition as for local product. Physical tests were carried on the specimens including Compressive strength, Bulk density , Water absorption , Modulus of rupture, Appearant porosity, and inflorescence. The results were compared with the limits of The Iraqi Specification. The results showed that the addition of powder glass with 10% by weight of clay cause significant improvement in the mechanical characteristics of clay bricks like compressive strength(90% increase) , Modulus of rupture(110% increase), bulk density(6% increase) and Water absorption(24%decrease). The addition of fine crushed glass with 10% by weight of clay cause an increase in compressive strength (48%) , Modulus of rupture(193%), Bulk density(4%) , and a decrease in water absorption