Wall Construction Using Substitute Materials

Sharp increase in prices of river sand has necessitated research for good substitutes. The manufacture of clay bricks is energy intensive and damages the fertile topsoil. Many alternatives are available for clay brick like laterite blocks, concrete blocks, interlocking blocks and pre-cast wall elements of concrete. In this work the suitability of quarry dust and sea sand as a substitute for natural sand in masonry mortar is studied. Mortar cubes with different proportions of cement and sand were cast and tested. The strength and other properties of different substitutes to brick in wall construction are also studied. The suitability of each wall type for single and double storey residential buildings is evaluated. A rate analysis for the wall types is also done. The suitability of concrete in which river sand is partially replaced with quarry dust or sea-sand for making pre-cast wall elements is examined by casting and testing concrete cubes.