Performance Evaluation of Corn Cob Ash and Wood Dust Ash in Fired Clay Bricks

Abstract

Background: The search for alternative approaches to utilising post-consumer waste has become a global priority in environmental management, particularly for reducing pollutants and minimising hazardous emissions from carbon-based materials used in sustainable construction. Among these waste materials, ash, often generated through industrial processes and the incineration of post-consumer wastes, remains an environmentally challenging by-product. Aim: This study investigated the mechanical properties of corn cob ash (CCA) and wood dust ash (WDA) as eco-friendly admixture components in clay bricks fired at 750°C. Five proportions of each ash (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% by weight of clay) were used to produce fifteen groups of stabilised soil samples, with the aim of determining the optimum additive level for improved performance. Methods: The oxide properties of the three constituent materials were analysed using Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE), and the mechanical properties of the test bricks were evaluated against a control sample (CS0) composed solely of clay. Results: The results revealed that increasing the ash-to-clay ratio improved the porosity and water absorption characteristics of the bricks. However, compressive strength declined with higher ash content. Notably, bricks incorporating 5% and 10% WDA exhibited adequate strength relative to the control. Conclusion: The findings suggest that incorporating CCA and WDA as admixtures is suitable for producing lightweight fired clay bricks with insulating potential and reduced thermal conductivity, thereby supporting sustainable construction applications.