Impact on varying construction waste content on the physical properties of waste glass-based fired clay bricks

The wastage from the construction activity is the major contributor to the global solid waste production. Improper disposal, especially for concrete waste possesses a significant environment challenge such as land scarcity and environmental degradation. This study explores the potential in the utilization of industrial waste, specifically glass waste from the beverage industry and concrete waste from the construction sector. The integration of this waste into fired clay bricks to reduce environmental impact and enhance material sustainability. A total of five different brick compositions were prepared, varying the concrete waste content from 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% while maintaining a constant clay-glass ratio. The bricks were fired at 1000 °C and their physical properties were analysed, including bulk density, linear shrinkage, water absorption, porosity and loss on ignition. Results showed that moderate additions of concrete waste improved porosity and maintained acceptable density and shrinkage values. Excessive amounts, however, led to reduced structural consistency. This study concludes that integrating construction waste into fired bricks is a feasible step toward eco-friendly material production. Future recommendations include long term mechanical testing and exploring other types of waste to optimize performance.