Developing Eco-friendly bricks from locally available soils with addition of different portions of fresh cow dung

Abstract

The aim of the was to develop eco-friendly bricks which are sustainable and are at low cost from three different samples of locally available soils with partial addition of fresh cow dung ash in the percentages of 0%, 5%,10% and 15% to the total weight of the mixture. Properties of the soil were obtained through laboratory tests that is grading, atterberg limits and compaction were carried out on the three different soil samples for the study. Cow dung ash is obtained by drying the cow dung under sun then grinding it and further sieve in a 1.18mm sieve sizes. Chemical composition of the cow dung as used in the study was carried out and it was observed that silica had the highest percentage. The bricks were manufactured in the traditional method using a mould of 200*100*100. The eco-friendly bricks were allowed to dry in sun light for 7 days, 14 days and 21 days. The physical and mechanical properties of the eco-friendly bricks developed were then analyzed in accordance to BS standards for the different curing days for compressive strength, water absorption, density, soundness, hardness, and impact test were carried on the developed ecofriendly bricks. It was observed that the addition of 5% cow dung ash in the different samples of soil under study showed a maximum strength in all the samples. It was further observed that the water absorption rate decreased with partial addition of cow dung in the mixture as well as the density of the bricks became lighter with addition of cow dung. The cost of the eco-friendly bricks was found to be cheaper compared to the standard clay bricks