Investigation of Thermal Efficiency and Key Sustainability Features of Bricks Developed from Oil Palm and Glass Waste
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35, Issue 1
Abstract
The consumption of natural resources by the construction industry has increased in an unprecedented manner, which has been coupled with a consequential trail of immense environmental impacts due to unsustainable practices. This study was undertaken to develop a sustainable brick from a combination of waste glass and oil palm industry waste. The focus of this study was to provide a sustainable brick that contributes to minimal environmental impact and better insulation capability to enhance thermal comfort levels. The developed bricks showed an acceptable strength of 7.21 MPa, which complies with the standard criteria for non-load bearing bricks. Additionally, thermal conductivity was found to be approximately , an improvement of almost 50% compared with common red clay brick. In addition, the numerically obtained conjugate heat transfer analysis of the thermally efficient sustainable hybrid (TESH) brick revealed that thermal resistance offered by TESH brick is approximately four times that of fired clay brick. This research also analyzed the embodied energy consumption and environmental impact assessment of TESH bricks. The results pointed to the sustainability aspect of the developed TESH bricks having positive impacts relative to commercially available red clay bricks.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
No data, models, or code were generated or used during the study.
Acknowledgments
Authors extend their appreciation to the deanship of scientific research at King Khalid University for funding this work through a research group program under Grant No. R.G.P. 2/93/43.
References
Alnahhal, A. M., U. J. Alengaram, S. Yusoff, R. Singh, M. K. Radwan, and W. Deboucha. 2021. “Synthesis of sustainable lightweight foamed concrete using palm oil fuel ash as a cement replacement material.” J. Build. Eng. 35 (20): 102047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.102047.
Al-Sallal, K. A., L. Al-Rais, and M. B. Dalmouk. 2013. “Designing a sustainable house in the desert of Abu Dhabi.” Renewable Energy 49 (3): 80–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2012.01.061.
Asdrubali, F., F. D’Alessandro, and S. Schiavoni. 2015. “A review of unconventional sustainable building insulation materials.” Sustainable Mater. Technol. 4 (May): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2015.05.002.
ASTM. 2012. Standard practice for using a guarded-hot-plate apparatus or thin-heater apparatus in the single-sided mode. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2014a. Standard test method for flexural strength of hydraulic-cement mortars. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2014b. Standard test methods for sampling and testing brick and structural clay tile. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2015. Standard test methods for apparent porosity, water absorption, apparent specific gravity, and bulk density of burned refractory brick and shapes by boiling water. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
AS/NZS (Australian/New Zealand Standard). 1997. Masonry units and segmental pavers—Methods of test method determining initial rate of absorption (suction). Sydney, Australia: New Zealand Standard.
BS (British Standard). 2003. Specification for masonry units. Clay masonry units. BS EN 771-1: 2003. London: BS.
de Souza, D. M., M. Lafontaine, F. Charron-Doucet, X. Bengoa, B. Chappert, F. Duarte, and L. Lima. 2015. “Comparative life cycle assessment of ceramic versus concrete roof tiles in the Brazilian context.” J. Cleaner Prod. 89 (Nov): 165–173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.11.029.
Drysdale, R. G., A. A. Hamid, and L. R. Baker. 1994. Masonry structures: Behavior and design. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Fang, Z., N. Li, B. Li, G. Luo, and Y. Huang. 2014. “The effect of building envelope insulation on cooling energy consumption in summer.” Energy Build. 77 (Mar): 197–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.03.030.
Favero, M., I. Sartori, and S. Carlucci. 2021. “Human thermal comfort under dynamic conditions: An experimental study.” Build. Environ. 204 (21): 108144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108144.
Florentin, Y., D. Pearlmutter, B. Givoni, and E. Gal. 2017. “A life-cycle energy and carbon analysis of hemp-lime bio-composite building materials.” Energy Build. 156 (Apr): 293–305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.09.097.
Gajbhiye, N. L., and V. Eswaran. 2018. “MHD buoyant flow in a cubical enclosure at low to high Hartmann number.” Int. J. Therm. Sci. 134 (Feb): 168–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2018.07.028.
Haik, R., A. Peled, and I. A. Meir. 2020. “The thermal performance of lime hemp concrete (LHC) with alternative binders.” Energy Build. 210 (40): 109740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.109740.
Hamada, H. M., G. A. Jokhio, A. A. Al-Attar, F. M. Yahaya, K. Muthusamy, A. M. Humada, and Y. Gul. 2020. “The use of palm oil clinker as a sustainable construction material: A review.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 106 (23): 103447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2019.103447.
Hamada, H. M., G. A. Jokhio, F. M. Yahaya, A. M. Humada, and Y. Gul. 2018. “The present state of the use of palm oil fuel ash (POFA) in concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 175 (Mar): 26–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.03.227.
Hammond, G. P., and C. I. Jones. 2008. “Embodied energy and carbon in construction materials.” Proc. Inst. Civ. Eng. Energy 161 (2): 87–98. https://doi.org/10.1680/ener.2008.161.2.87.
Hossain, M. M., M. R. Karim, M. M. A. Elahi, M. N. Islam, and M. F. M. Zain. 2020. “Long-term durability properties of alkali-activated binders containing slag, fly ash, palm oil fuel ash and rice husk ash.” Constr. Build. Mater. 251 (55): 119094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119094.
Hussain, K., Z. He, N. Ahmad, and M. Iqbal. 2019. “Green, lean, six sigma barriers at a glance: A case from the construction sector of Pakistan.” Build. Environ. 161 (10): 106225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.106225.
IS (Indian Standards). 1997. Common burnt clay building bricks—Specifications. IS 1077: 1992. New Delhi, India: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Khan, K. A., A. Raut, C. R. Chandrudu, and C. Sashidhar. 2021. “Design and development of sustainable geopolymer using industrial copper byproduct.” J. Cleaner Prod. 278 (Feb): 123565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123565.
Kreiner, H., A. Passer, and H. Wallbaum. 2015. “A new systemic approach to improve the sustainability performance of office buildings in the early design stage.” Energy Build. 109 (Sep): 385–396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.09.040.
Kua, H. W., and S. Kamath. 2014. “An attributional and consequential life cycle assessment of substituting concrete with bricks.” J. Cleaner Prod. 81 (Sep): 190–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.06.006.
Liu, S., Q. Li, G. Xie, L. Li, and H. Xiao. 2016. “Effect of grinding time on the particle characteristics of glass powder.” Powder Technol. 295 (Mar): 133–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2016.03.030.
MS (Malaysian Standard). 1972. Specification for bricks and blocks of fired brickearth, clay or shale-part 2: Metric units. MS 76: 1972. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Standard & Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia.
March, S. T., and G. F. Smith. 1995. “Design and natural science research on information technology.” Decis. Support Syst. 15 (4): 251–266. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-9236(94)00041-2.
Nagaratnam, B. H., M. A. Mannan, M. E. Rahman, A. K. Mirasa, A. Richardson, and O. Nabinejad. 2019. “Strength and microstructural characteristics of palm oil fuel ash and fly ash as binary and ternary blends in self-compacting concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 202 (Dec): 103–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.12.139.
Praseeda, K. I., B. V. Reddy, and M. Mani. 2015. “Embodied energy assessment of building materials in India using process and input–output analysis.” Energy Build. 86 (10): 677–686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.10.042.
Radhi, H. 2011. “Viability of autoclaved aerated concrete walls for the residential sector in the United Arab Emirates.” Energy Build. 43 (9): 2086–2092. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.04.018.
Ramesh, T., R. Prakash, and K. K. Shukla. 2012. “Life cycle approach in evaluating energy performance of residential buildings in Indian context.” Energy Build. 54 (Jul): 259–265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2012.07.016.
Raut, A., R. J. Singh, A. Murmu, and A. K. Khan. 2022. “Evaluation of thermal and energy consumption behavior of novel foamed copper slag based geopolymer masonry blocks.” Ceram. Int. 2022 (Jan): 11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.01.070.
Raut, A. N., and C. P. Gomez. 2016. “Utilization of waste as a constituent ingredient for enhancing thermal performance of bricks—A review paper.” Indian J. Sci. Technol. 9 (37): 1–12. https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst/2016/v9i37/87082.
Raut, A. N., and C. P. Gomez. 2017. “Optimization of mix design of thermally efficient blocks using the process parameter approach.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 29 (3): 04016235. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001783.
Raut, A. N., and C. P. Gomez. 2020. “Utilization of glass powder and oil palm fibers to develop thermally efficient blocks.” Arab. J. Sci. Eng. 45 (5): 3959–3972. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-019-04316-5.
Reddy, B. V., and K. S. Jagadish. 2003. “Embodied energy of common and alternative building materials and technologies.” Energy Build. 35 (2): 129–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7788(01)00141-4.
Saffari, M., A. de Gracia, S. Ushak, and L. F. Cabeza. 2017. “Passive cooling of buildings with phase change materials using whole-building energy simulation tools: A review.” Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev. 80 (5): 1239–1255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.05.139.
Schiavoni, S., F. Bianchi, and F. Asdrubali. 2016. “Insulation materials for the building sector: A review and comparative analysis.” Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev. 62 (5): 988–1011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.05.045.
Serrano-Arellano, J., J. M. Riesco-Ávila, J. M. Belman-Flores, K. Aguilar-Castro, and E. V. Macías-Melo. 2016. “Numerical study of the effect of buoyancy on conjugate heat transfer in simultaneous turbulent flow in parallel pipelines.” Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer 102 (Jun): 26–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2016.05.141.
Singh, R. J., and A. J. Chandy. 2020. “Numerical investigations of the development and suppression of the natural convection flow and heat transfer in the presence of electromagnetic force.” Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer 157 (20): 119823. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2020.119823.
Singh, R. J., and T. B. Gohil. 2019a. “The numerical analysis on the buoyancy-driven conjugate heat transfer and fluid flow under the influence of magnetic field in the cubic cavity using OpenFOAM.” J. Phys. Conf. Series 1240 (1): 012081. https://doi.org/10.29252/jafm.12.03.29242.
Singh, R. J., and T. B. Gohil. 2019b. “Influence of the presence of the Lorentz force and its direction on the suppression of secondary flow in two different orifices: A numerical study using OpenFOAM.” J. Appl. Mech. 12 (3): 751–762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2019.106096.
Singh, R. J., and T. B. Gohil. 2019c. “Numerical study of MHD mixed convection flow over a diamond-shaped obstacle using OpenFOAM.” Int. J. Therm. Sci. 146 (9): 106096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fusengdes.2019.111300.
Singh, R. J., and T. B. Gohil. 2019d. “The numerical analysis on the variation of electric potential, electric current and Lorentz force with its influence on buoyancy-driven conjugate heat transfer and fluid flow using OpenFOAM.” Fusion Eng. Des. 148 (Apr): 111300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fusengdes.2019.111300.
Singh, R. J., and T. B. Gohil. 2020. “Numerical analysis of unsteady natural convection flow and heat transfer in the existence of Lorentz force in suddenly expanded cavity using open FOAM.” J. Therm. Sci. 29 (6): 1513–1530. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-020-1190-9.
Thomas, B. S., S. Kumar, and H. S. Arel. 2017. “Sustainable concrete containing palm oil fuel ash as a supplementary cementitious material—A review.” Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev. 80 (Jan): 550–561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.05.128.
Vaitkevičius, V., E. Šerelis, and H. Hilbig. 2014. “The effect of glass powder on the microstructure of ultra high performance concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 68 (56): 102–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.05.101.
Xie, X., Y. Lu, and Z. Gou. 2017. “Green building pro-environment behaviors: Are green users also green buyers?” Sustainability 9 (10): 1703. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9101703.
Zeyad, A. M., M. A. Johari, N. M. Bunnori, K. S. Ariffin, and N. M. Altwair. 2013. “Characteristics of treated palm oil fuel ash and its effects on properties of high strength concrete.” In Advanced materials research, 152–156. Washington, DC: Trans Tech Publications Ltd.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35 • Issue 1 • January 2023
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 25, 2021
Accepted: Apr 28, 2022
Published online: Oct 22, 2022
Published in print: Jan 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Mar 22, 2023
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Ashwin Raut, Ranjit J. Singh, Y.S. Kannan, undefined Rahul, Insulation behavior of foamed based geopolymer as a thermally efficient sustainable blocks, Materials Today: Proceedings, 10.1016/j.matpr.2023.03.022, (2023).