Plastic fiber-strengthened interlocking bricks for load bearing applications

The quest for the development of sustainable and eco-friendly construction materials, to solve problem of material scarcity and higher cost, has led to the persistent use of discarded and local materials for producing cementitious composites. This study developed plastic fiber-strengthened interlocking bricks suitable for load bearing applications. Thirty-two interlocking bricks were prepared with a mix ratio of 1:3 and with using ceramics and laterite as partial replacement of river sand at 0, 50, and 100%. The proportion of plastic fibers was 5 and 10%. The workability of fresh mixes, and the compressive strength, water absorption, and microscale characteristics of the hardenend interlocking bricks were explored. Interlocking bricks reinforced with 10% plastic fiber and containing 50% of both laterite and ceramics yeiled 65 mm slump. Higher water absorptivity was more observed in samples havin higher laterite content. The study recommended interlocking brick production using ceramics and plastic fibers as laid out in the experimental process.