Performance of Overburnt Distorted Bricks as Aggregates in Pavement Works

In the customary way of clay brick production by burning soil in Bangladesh and other developing countries, a good number of bricks (approximately 13%) are severely overburnt due to uncontrolled distribution of temperature in the kiln. These bricks are dark red in color, severely distorted, and swollen. These bricks are considered totally useless and are not allowed in any construction work. In this study, the feasibility of utilizing these overburnt bricks as coarse aggregates in highway pavement projects was explored. Routine laboratory tests such as the Los Angeles abrasion, water absorption, specific gravity, and unit weight, were used to compare the properties of the overburnt bricks with the best possible quality picked or pick-Jhama (Type A) bricks from the same stockyards in Bangladesh. It was found that overburnt brick aggregates are much stronger, less absorptive, and denser in general than the ones from the picked or pick-Jhama (Type A) bricks. Therefore, these bricks may be conveniently and economically used as highway pavement coarse aggregates. Manufacturers may also be encouraged to produce such high strength brick with adequate quality control measures.