Fly Ash Bricks versus Clay Bricks

Fly Ash Bricks versus Clay Bricks: When we consider the possibility of building a new home, many questions and concerns arise. The construction of a house is not temporary. We would like to build a structure that will last for an extended period of time. To do this, we use the most advanced practices, tools, and building processes. What is the better brick for home building: Fly Ash Bricks or Clay Bricks?

What is Fly Ash?

Fly ash is a fine powder which is produced as a byproduct of the combustion of pulverized coal in power plants. Fly ash is a pozzolan, a substance composed of aluminous and siliceous material that, when combined with water, forms cement. When fly ash is combined with lime and water, a substance similar to Portland cement is formed. This qualifies fly ash as a primary component of blended cement and bricks, among other construction materials.

Fly ash bricks

Fly ash bricks are high-tech, high-quality bricks that are used to build brick masonry structures. Industrial wastes like fly ash, when combined with cement, and sand/stone particles are used to make fly ash bricks. They are used in place of standard clay bricks and have superior properties. Fly ash bricks are cost effective with traditional clay bricks and offer many indirect benefits.

Basic Properties of Fly Ash and Clay Bricks

Characteristics	Clay Bricks	Fly Ash Bricks
Density	1550-1800 kg/m3	1715-1860 kg/m3
Compressive strength	29-34 kg/cm2	75-100 kg/cm2

Fly Ash Brick versus Clay Brick

The below is a comparison of Fly Ash and Red Bricks.

1. Composition

Fly Ash Bricks	Clay Bricks
cement, fly ash, water, sand	Clay Soil

2. Size and Dimensions:

Fly Ash Bricks	Clay Bricks
Since they are cast in a machine mould, they have a more uniform appearance.	Are not standardized in shape due to the fact that they are hand molded

3. Color:

Fly Ash Bricks	Clay Bricks
Cement grey color	Color varies between red and light brown depending on the kind of clay used.

4. Compressive Strength:

Fly Ash Bricks	Clay Bricks
75 to 100 kg/cm²	29 to 24 kg/cm²

5. Waste on Site:

Fly Ash Bricks	Clay Bricks
2 – 5 %	> 10 %

6. Water Absorption ratio:

Fly Ash Bricks	Clay Bricks
7 -13 %	19 – 25 %

 From the contrast, it is obvious that Fly Ash Bricks outperform clay bricks in new house construction.

Fly ash bricks have the following advantages over clay bricks

1. Fly ash blocks are less expensive and lightweight than conventional bricks.
2. Fly Ash blocks need just 65 kg cement to produce 1 m3 of brickwork, which is significantly less than clay brick.
3. By utilizing fly ash bricks, we can save up to 50% on cement use, as these walls do not need plastering on all sides.
4. Compared to clay bricks, they have a higher compressive strength, need less pours, and are lighter in weight.
5. As the structural load on a high-rise structure increases, this brick’s light weight assists in minimizing stress on the structure.
6. Have a lower water absorption rate than clay bricks.
7. Fly ash bricks are manufactured from by-products of coal burning in thermal power plants.
8. . Clay bricks are constructed from clay extracted from cultivated ground or topsoil. This is a primary explanation why Fly ash bricks are preferred to clay bricks.

Read Also:  Fly Ash Bricks: Benefits, Composition and Manufacturing