Development and characterisation of novel eco brickwork

The strength and durability of masonry construction depends primarily on relatively thin mortar joints, generally 5 to 10mm thick. Mortar joints serve as the primary bonding mechanism which connects masonry units together, providing the only resistance to withstand lateral forces. They also play an important role in the long-term performance of masonry construction and parameters such as diffusion, permeability and absorption are important in this respect.

The proposed work is to firstly develop low embodied energy, high performance mortars using by-products and waste materials locally available in Scotland and/or United Kingdom in general. The developed mortar mixes will be then used to construct brickwork using the highly innovative eco-bricks developed recently at Heriot-Watt University, in partnership with the Hamilton Waste & Recycling, at both laboratory and pilot-plant scales. A systematic investigation will be then carried out to assess key engineering properties of the brickwork, including but not limited to compressive strength, initial shear strength and flexural strength. The influence of water retention and brick absorption characteristics on bond development will also be investigated and compared with conventional materials currently available in the market such as cement and natural hydraulic lime mortars. In parallel to this, a systematic investigation will also be carried out to assess the permeation characteristics of the developed mortars under a variety of exposure conditions. A comprehensive study will be then carried out to study the influence of the permeation properties of the mortar joints on the structural performance of the brickwork at both ambient and elevated temperature, with the latter being carried out together with the fire group at the University of Edinburgh. The results are expected to provide a basis for the developed products to be used in construction industry.