Energy-smart bricks keep waste out of landfill

Energy-smart bricks keep waste out of landfill

Engineers have invented energy-efficient bricks with scrap materials, including glass, that are normally destined for landfill.

RMIT University engineers collaborated with Visy – Australia’s largest recycling company – to make bricks with a minimum of 15% waste glass and 20% combusted solid waste (ash), as substitutes for clay.

Test results indicate that using these bricks in the construction of a single-storey building could reduce household energy bills by up to 5% compared to regular bricks, due to improved insulation.

Replacing clay with waste materials in the brick production helped reduce the firing temperature by up to 20% compared with standard brick mixtures, offering potential cost savings to manufacturers. 

Team leader Associate Professor Dilan Robert (third from left) with the RMIT research team behind the energy-smart bricks in a lab at RMIT University. Credit: Seamus Daniel, RMIT University Team leader Associate Professor Dilan Robert (third from left) with the RMIT research team behind the energy-smart bricks in a lab at RMIT University. Credit: Seamus Daniel, RMIT University

Team leader Associate Professor Dilan Robert said about 1.4 trillion bricks were used in construction projects globally every year.

“Business-as-usual brick production produces harmful emissions – including carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and chlorine – and puts a serious strain on our natural resources, particularly clay,” said Robert, from RMIT’s School of Engineering.

The team’s latest research is published in the international journal Construction and Building Materials.

The team can make energy-smart bricks in a range of colours. Credit: Seamus Daniel, RMIT University The team can make energy-smart bricks in a range of colours. Credit: Seamus Daniel, RMIT University

Potential to make our homes and workplaces more energy efficient

The team’s research showed the new bricks have enhanced energy efficiency through improved thermal performance, and met stringent structural, durability and environmental sustainability standards. The technology has met the key compliance requirement of fired clay bricks set by Standards Australia (AS 3700).   

“Bricks play a key role in preventing energy loss from buildings,” Robert said.

“We can also produce light-weight bricks in a range of colours from white to dark red by changing our formulations.”

Dr Biplob Pramanik, the RMIT team’s environmental engineer, said the new bricks were safe to use in construction projects.

“Our bricks, manufactured from industry waste, meet state environmental regulations,” he said.

Waste glass that the team can use in their energy-smart bricks. Credit: Seamus Daniel, RMIT University Waste glass that the team can use in their energy-smart bricks. Credit: Seamus Daniel, RMIT University

A “circular-economy solution” to a big waste challenge

In Victoria, Visy recycles glass packaging back into new bottles and jars. However, glass pieces smaller than 3mm – referred to as fines – cannot be recycled into bottles.

“We are focusing on scaling up the production process to facilitate the commercialisation of our innovative bricks in collaboration with brick manufacturers in Melbourne,” Robert said.

Paul Andrich, Innovation Project Manager at Visy, said the company was thrilled to find a solution for material that cannot be recycled into food and beverage packaging. 

“Diverting this waste into bricks with added insulation, rather than landfill, is another way we are powering the circular economy," he said.

The research team wants to collaborate with industries to explore applications of waste material in other construction products.    

Combusted solid waste (ash) that the team can use in their energy-smart bricks. Credit: Seamus Daniel, RMIT University Combusted solid waste (ash) that the team can use in their energy-smart bricks. Credit: Seamus Daniel, RMIT University

Innovation supported by peer-reviewed research

The RMIT team has published peer-reviewed research on the brick innovation in several journals.

‘Utilizing rejected contaminants from the paper recycling process in fired clay brick production’ is published in Construction and Building Materials. (DOI:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134031)

‘Energy efficiency of waste reformed fired clay bricks – from manufacturing to post application’ is published in the journal Energy. (DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.128755)

‘A viable solution for industrial waste ash: Recycling in fired clay bricks’ is published in the Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering. (DOI: 10.1061/JMCEE7.MTENG-15165)

‘Transformation of waste-contaminated glass dust in sustainable fired clay bricks’ is published in Case Studies in Construction Materials. (DOI: 10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01717)


Story: Will Wright

23 April 2024

Share

Return to RMIT News
23 April 2024

Share

  • STEM
  • Industry
  • Sustainability
  • Research
  • Engineering
  • Environment
  • Science and technology
Engage

Related News

news-carbon-conversion-research-team-1220px.jpg

New carbon-conversion technology could turn emissions into jet fuel

RMIT researchers have developed a carbon conversion technology that may one day help turn industrial emissions into jet fuel, by simplifying how carbon dioxide is recycled.

vital-arts-program-microcredential-1220x732px-3.jpg

New micro-credentials recognise 21st-century skills gained through youth arts programs

Young people who participate in arts programs develop highly sought-after workplace skills – and now they have a way to prove it.

AmyGelmiteam.jpg

Zapping stem cells could boost growth of new tissues and organs

Scientists in Melbourne have discovered how tiny electrical pulses can steer stem cells as they grow, opening the door to new improved ways of creating new tissues, organs, nerves and bones.

ttlgsTEAMphotoFINALeditweb.jpg

Cairns Airport mangrove study sets new standard for Indigenous-led research on country

A new study highlights how Indigenous leadership, science and business can unite to protect coastal ecosystems while building long-term environmental and cultural knowledge.

Show more
aboriginal flag float-start torres strait flag float-start

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information