Strength and durability characteristics of bricks made using coal bottom and coal fly ash

The study evaluates properties of brick having coal ash and explores the possibility of utilization of coal bottom ash and coal fly ash as an alternative raw material in the production of coal ash bricks. Lower cement content was used in the investigations to attain appropriate strength and prohibit high carbon content that is cause of environmental pollution. The samples use up to 7% of cement whereas sand was replaced with bottom ash. Bricks were tested for compressive strength, modulus of rupture, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), water absorption and durability. The results showed mix proportions of bottom ash, fly ash and cement as 1: 1: 0.15 i.e., M-15 achieved optimum values. The coal ash bricks were well bonded with mortar and could be feasible alternative to conventional bricks thus can contribute towards sustainable development.