What Is Fly Ash Bricks?

Advantages & Disadvantages of Fly Ash Bricks

Advantages of Fly Ash Bricks

1. Strength of Fly Ash Bricks

2. Durability of Fly Ash Bricks

3. Appearance of Fly Ash Bricks

4. Thermal Property of Fly Ash Bricks

5. Sound Insulation of Fly Ash Bricks

6. Fire Resistance of Fly Ash Bricks

7. Sustainability of Fly Ash Bricks

• The main ingredient of fly ash bricks is fly ash, and it comes from the thermal power plant. So, it doesn't damage the environment again; that's why it's an environmentally friendly product.

8. Availability of Fly Ash Bricks

• Those bricks are generally available near the thermal power station areas, but now days, it's nearly available in all the places.

Disadvantages of Fly Ash Bricks

• All fly ash bricks are not suitable for construction. It's necessary to use high-quality fly ash bricks to resist harmful effects.
• If the fly ash bricks are not appropriately prepared, then it has no strength and not suitable for construction.
• These bricks are only available in modular size. Larger size bricks are not produced due to cracks.
• Bonding is less due to a smooth finish; that's why we need to care about when masonry work is running.
• In plastering work, plaster doesn't make a suitable bond with those bricks due to the smooth surface.
• Fly ash bricks are not suitable in the winter area region.

Fly Ash Bricks Cost

• Cost of raw material
• The proportion of raw material
• Level of automation
• Technology adopted
• Cost of finance
• Economic of scale

How to Make Fly Ash Bricks

• At first, add fly ash at an amount of 57-65%. Fly ash is the fundamental material of this type of bricks.
• Then river sand or stone dust 18-27%. It acts as a filler material for fly ash bricks.
• Hydrated lime 9-12%. This is the binding material of fly ash bricks.
• Gypsum 5%, sometimes cement is also added with this mixture.
• Then those above products are adequately mixed.
• After that process, those bricks need compression. So, they are compressed at 28 MPa.
• Next, it needs a curing process. It cured for 24 hours in a 66°C steam bath.
• Then, the bricks are toughened with an air entrainment agent and last 100 freeze-thaw cycles.

Compressive Strength of Fly Ash Bricks

• As compared with normal fire clay bricks, fly ash bricks have more compressive strength.
• When the fly ash bricks are constructed, then it got extreme pressure (near about 28 MPa).
• Where the ordinary fire clay bricks have a compressive strength of 3.5 N/mm2, the compressive strength of fly ash bricks is 10-12 N/mm2.

Fly Ash Brick Size

• Fly ash bricks are produced in various sizes, but usually, the available size in the marketplace is 230mm x 110mm x 70mm.
• The weight of that particular size of brick is 6 kg. So, it reduces the dead load of the structure due to its lightweight.
• Due to this type of compact uniform size and high compressive strength, there is no breakage in the transportation system.

Fly Ash Block Size

• Fly ash block is the bigger version of fly ash brick. The same material produces it, and the same process is applied for preparing it.
• The size of fly ash brick is 24in x 8in x 4in
• These blocks are mainly used in the partition wall and the sidewall.
• The cost of fly ash block is approximately 50 rupees per piece in India (but it varies in a different place)

Fly Ash Bricks Advantages

• They are light in weight and hence are very suitable for multi-floored buildings.
• Fly ash bricks absorb less heat and considering the Indian climate, it makes it better when compared to clay bricks.
• From the cost front, it requires less mortar during construction.

Fly Ash Bricks Disadvantages

• Depending on the mixture mechanical strength can be low. This can be partially rectified by adding marble waste or mortar between blocks.
• Large size can have more breakages depending on the mix of materials.
• It has high thermal conductivity. Extra insulation is required in colder regions.

Fly Ash Bricks Rate

Fly Ash Bricks Manufacturing Process

• The mixing proportion is generally 40-50% Fly Ash, 50-40% Sand 10% lime and 4% water.
• Fly ash reacts with lime in the presence of moisture to form calcium silicate hydrate which is the binder material.
• The raw mix is moulded in the moulding press/machine, pressed under a pressure into bricks.

Fly Ash Brick Size

• It reduces the dead load on structures due to light weight (2.6 kg, dimension: 230 mm X 110 mm X 70 mm).
• Due to high strength, practically no breakage during transport and use.
• Due to the uniform size of bricks mortar required for joints and plaster reduces almost by 50%.

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