The Utilization of Wet Silica Sand Sludge as an Additive in Different Temperature Sustainable Brick Production

The conversion of the waste of wet silica sand sludge (W3S) into useful products, such as bricks, glassware, and ceramics, is an alternative solid waste management method. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of silica sand wet sludge additive on brick quality. For this purpose, laboratory-scale brick manufacturing was implemented by using 10%, 30%, 50%, and 100% sludge in clay brick. For proper characterization to understand brick quality, the water absorption, shrinkage, bulk density, compressive strength, and SEM analysis of sintered samples were performed. At the end of the experimental procedure, no negative effects of sludge addition were determined in terms of mechanical strength, porosity, water absorption, or structural integrity. In addition, the incorporation of W3S contributed to sustainable waste management and helped mitigate its environmental impact. Experimental studies revealed that a product with the desired color could be obtained when 50% W3S was used in the mixture. In addition, the optimal composition for making bricks was found to be a mixture of 50% W3S and 50% brick clay, fired at 850 °C. With this mixture, not only is the preferred color achieved, but an optimum balance between mechanical strength, durability, and minimization of environmental damage is also attained. Such a formulation ensures high compressive strength, low porosity, and low water absorption, making it sustainable and a better choice in construction with industrial by-product use. The results obtained are useful in showing possibilities for the solution of environmental problems to utilize waste materials in useful products.