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This investigation is primarily focused on addressing the prevailing uncertainty surrounding the compressive strength of three distinct types of bricks: nanomodified; simple; and commercial. Nanomodified bricks are specifically fabricated using a minute concentration of 0.01% w/w multiwalled carbon nanotubes combined with 1% sodium hexametaphosphate. However, the utilization of both materials in a single brick is currently limited. In view of this constraint, a diligent effort was made in this study to comprehend the effects of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and sodium hexametaphosphate as additive materials for brick construction. It is important to note that the compressive strength of the bricks remains the pivotal and critical characteristic under investigation, and an exhaustive analysis was undertaken employing a probabilistic approach. The findings of the study suggest that the variability observed in the compressive strength parameters of nanomodified, simple, and commercial bricks can be explained by a normal distribution at a significance level of 5%. The calculated values for the characteristic compressive strength were determined to be 24.47, 16.47, and 14.24 N/mm2 , respectively, for the three types of bricks. Further, the regression analysis conducted to assess the relationship between brick compressive strength and the independent variables yielded a cubic fit with R2 (coefficient of determination) values of 0.984, 0.995, and 0.995 for nanomodified, simple, and commercial bricks, respectively. Consequently, the application of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in conjunction with sodium hexametaphosphate in fired clay bricks can be recommended to achieve enhanced compressive strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Warm-mix asphalt (WMA) is produced at lower temperatures—about 30°C–40°C lower—than hot-mix asphalt (HMA). Huge amounts of brick dust (BD) and fly ash (FA) are generated every year throughout the world, causing an environmental hazard, and their disposal is a serious problem. In addition, the high mixing temperature of HMA production increases environmental load. This study evaluated warm mixes made using organic wax and chemical-based technologies. Two types of filler material, i.e., FA and BD, were used as binary blended fillers (BBF). Cylindrical Marshall specimens were prepared and subjected to moisture susceptibility tests for both aged and unaged conditions. The durability of these samples was tested by evaluating the tensile strength ratio using the modified Lottman test method. The cohesion resistance of the mixtures was evaluated by Cantabro loss. Furthermore, a wheel tracker test (WTT) setup was used for rutting evaluation. Results revealed that the use of BBF in mixes led to a marked increase in mechanical properties. Microstructural behavior was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images for particle-size distribution. The statistical test indicated a significant difference in stability values and rut depths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on various properties of a fired clay brick was investigated and subsequently compared with other kinds of bricks. MWCNT doped bricks and traditional bricks were prepared in laboratory conditions and commercially available bricks were obtained from a nearby manufacturer. Each group of bricks were subjected to various tests such as visual examination, dimension tolerance test, efflorescence test, water absorption test, impact resistance test, soundness test, hardness test, structure test, compressive strength test, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. An extensive characterization of soil, water, and MWCNT was carried out. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) were done to characterize soil in addition to basic consistency limit tests. MWCNT was characterized using XRD, SEM-EDS, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Soil passing through a 425-μm sieve was used to manufacture MWCNT doped brick (0.01% of water by weight) and traditional bricks. The compressive strength of MWCNT doped bricks was 53.9% and 45.52% more as compared to commercially available and traditional bricks. An adequate reduction in water absorption was recorded when compared with traditional and commercially available bricks. Economic analysis was also carried out, which marked an increase of $0.0134 per brick in the manufacturing of MWCNT doped bricks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]