NON-FIRED LATERITE SOIL BRICKS WITH NA-BASED STABILIZER ADDITION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Fired bricks are widely used, but they are energy-intensive and non-eco-friendly. Non-fired bricks with chemical stabilisers can be the alternative solution, which is a low-energy-intensive and environmentally friendly manufacturing product. Laterite soil can be the raw material for the synthesis of non-fired clay brick in sodium hydroxide solution and sodium silicate solution. However, it may have been mixed with other laterite soils with different optimum moisture contents and grain sizes during extraction. Thus, the mixing ratio of laterite soil, Na-based stabilisers, and water for non-fired brick production is determined. Besides, two types of laterite soil, LAT 1 and LAT 2, from different locations were prepared, and another type of laterite soil, LAT 3, was prepared by mixing LAT 1 and LAT 2. Both three are compared primarily in terms of compressive strength and water absorption, which are mixed with the Na2SiO3/NaOH ratio. As a result, the new mixing ratio with increased water content was determined based on the optimum moisture content of the soil. Besides, the optimum mixing ratio of each type of brick was determined. Overall, based on the Malaysian standard, all types of brick samples from each ratio could be used as load-bearing class 1 and internal wall bricks. Additionally, LAT 2 and LAT 3-based bricks with a ratio of 1.5 Na2SiO3/NaOH ratio can be used as load-bearing brick class 2.