Effect of banana fibre and lime on mechanical and thermal properties of unburnt clay bricks

ABSTRACT

Demand for energy-efficient, economical and healthy construction materials has increased recently due to factors such as global warming and related diseases. Therefore, the need for construction materials such as clay bricks which has good thermal insulating property has increased. This study aims to investigate the possibility of using banana fibres and lime to improve the thermal and structural properties of unburnt clay bricks. Engineering properties of the bricks such as compressive strength, thermal properties, water absorption, the initial rate of suction, and bulk density were tested to observe variations. Materials were selected considering properties such as withstanding high temperatures, higher fibre content, coefficient of thermal conductivity, availability, and durability. An increment of 35.19% was observed in the compressive strength for 4% mixed unburnt clay bricks. The amount of maximum reduction of indoor temperature is 4.2°C. Therefore, the use of banana fibre and lime mixed with unburnt clay brick would be improved both structural properties and thermal characteristics of masonry walls, effectively.

KEYWORDS:

• Unburned clay brick
• banana fibre
• lime
• thermal efficiency
• sustainable construction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

B.H.J Pushpakumara

B.H.J Pushpakumara is a Senior Lecturer in civil engineering at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka, and graduated from the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.

T.R Hewawaduge

T.R Hewawaduge is a Research student in civil engineering at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka.