Chemical composition of interlocking compressed earth bricks (ICEB)

What is it about?

Interlocking Compressed Earth Bricks (ICEB) are a special form of dry stacked compressed earth unit made of local soil stabilised with cement. Due to the limited data and standards associated with ICEBs, ICEBs are typically manufactured according to a variety of different production methods in each factory and country, with a variety of sizes, shapes, compositions, and machine types. Although the chemical composition of ICEB is the same as that of other bricks (soil, sand, cement, and water), there have been few studies on the chemical composition of ICEB compared to other bricks. Therefore, this study aims to examine the chemical composition of ICEBs and compare the main components of chemical composition between ICEBs and conventional earth bricks. The study was conducted on ICEBs produced and supplied by companies from the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. This chemical analysis test was conducted according to the ASTM C114-09 standard to find the chemical composition of ICEB and the percentage composition of ICEB. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer was used. X-ray fluorescence is particularly well-suited for investigations that involve bulk chemical analyses of major elements and bulk chemical analyses of trace elements (in abundances>1 ppm). The result shows that the major elements of ICEB are Fe, Si, Ca, and Al, while the main components of ICEB are SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, and CaO. This chemical composition indicates the elements which affect the engineering or mechanical properties of ICEB, such as strength, hardness, ductility, brittleness, corrosion resistance, weldability, color, etc. Compared to the other earth bricks, which are clay bricks, red bricks, and fire clay bricks (red brown), ICEB contains a low percentage of SiO2 but a high percentage of Fe2O3 and CaO. From the chemical composition point of view, this indicates that ICEB is seen to be able to provide more strength, less prone to cracking, has a more beautiful red colour and can be used as an attractive finishing wall compared to others.

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Why is it important?

This study is seen as important in obtaining the chemical composition of interlocking compressed earth bricks (ICEB). Since these bricks are one of the green materials that have found a place in the construction industry, the data from this study can provide new knowledge about these bricks since there have been few studies on the chemical composition of ICEB compared to other bricks.

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