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Durability of Concrete with Crushed Brick Coarse

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Eighth Islamic Countries Conference on Statistical Sciences (ICCS - VIII December 21-24, 2002
University of Bahrain, Bahrain.

DURABILITY OF CONCRETE WITH CRUSHED BRICK

COARSE AGGREGATES

Dr. Tahir Kibriya Ph.D. Civ Engg (U.K), NUST

Dr. Tahir Kibriya graduted in civil engineering from Military College of

Engineering at Risalpur in Pakistan. He completed [Link] in Public Health
Engineering from UET, Lahore, [Link] in Civil Engineering Structures from U.K.
and later obtained Ph.D in Civil Engineering from The City University, U.K. He
has vast experience of design and consultancy in civil engineering structures and
is presently teaching [Link] Structures and [Link] Civil Engineering students at
Military College of Engineering at Risalpur. His research interests are concrete
materials and structures.

Abstract
This investigation was carried out to assess the sulphate resistance of concrete
with different types of brick aggregates varying from low strength and high
absorption brick aggregates to high strength and low absorption brick aggregates
along with a wide range of W/C ratios. Concrete with normal construction brick
aggregates showed larger expansions as compared to concrete with normal
aggregate but the reduction in dynamic modulus was observed to be negligible.
Concrete with sandlime brick aggregate shows reduced expansion and little
reduction of dynamic modulus as compared to concrete with normal aggregates
but appreciable loss of weight was observed. Concrete with engineering brick
aggregate shows almost similar expansions as compared to concrete with normal
aggregates, 30 to 50% lower reduction in dynamic modulus for concrete with
engineering brick aggregate and weight loss was observed to be 15% lower than
concrete with normal aggregates.

Introduction
Whilst brick aggregates are abundantly available from demolition of old
buildings constructed of brick masonry, scarcity of natural aggregates in various
regions forced engineers to look at other options. Crushed brick aggregates have
been commonly used for structural concrete in many South Asian countries like
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal etc in low rise construction and pavements.
A number of researchers and engineers have investigated the mechanical
properties of crushed brick coarse aggregates which have proved to be a suitable
structural material in areas with scarce natural aggregates but such concretes
have not at all been investigated for durability [1,2,3,9,10]. Sulphates are widely
distributed in nature and are present in virtually all soils, particularly those with
high proportions of clay are present. Sulphate attack on concrete is due to the
presence of sulphates in groundwater or water surrounding the structure.
Sulphates are also found in sea waters and in imported fill containing blast

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Durability of Concrete with Crushed Brick Coarse Aggregates

furnace slag or cinders. The most common sulphates are calcium sulphate,
magnesium sulphate and sodium sulphate. The low solubility calcium salt is
potentially less dangerous as compared to the high solubility magnesium and
sodium sulphates. Addition of chloride or sea-water has been observed to
increase the intensity of sulphate attack.

Research Significance
This research investigates the sulphate resistance of concrete with various types
of crushed brick coarse aggregates which have proved to be satisfactory as
regards mechanical properties but have not at all been investigated for sulphate
resistance (9,10).

Description of tests
Three types of bricks were selected for testing sulphate resistance of brick
aggregate concrete. They were normal construction bricks, sandlime bricks and
engineering bricks. Table 1 gives the properties of bricks. W/C ratios of 0.63,
0.50, 0.385 and 0.296 which were observed to be equivalent to characteristic
strengths of normal aggregates concrete of 20.7, 35, 50 and 65N/mm2 were
investigated designed on the Design of Normal Concrete Mixes method (4,9,10).
Concrete with normal construction brick and sandlime brick aggregates was
investigated for w/c ratios of 0.63 and 0.50 since further lowering of w/c ratio
did not increase the compressive strength of concrete. The w/c ratio was kept
constant so that there was no variation in the paste characteristics and merely
aggregates were changed from normal to different types of crushed brick coarse
aggregates. 100*100*500mm prismatic specimen were prepared for the sulphate
resistance test to keep the ratio of size of test specimen and maximum size of
aggregate to slightly over 2.5. Sulphate solution selected for testing sulphate
resistance of concrete with crushed brick aggregates comprised of 10%
magnesium sulphate and 10% sodium sulphate to sufficiently accelerate the test
(6). Rate of contact was twenty four hours of saturation in sulphate solution at
200C followed by a similar period of drying at 70 0 C for 50 cycles of saturation
and drying. The specimen were cooled to room temperatures after drying and
were then placed in sulphate solution for saturation. Drying at 70 0 C does not
affect the microstructure of concrete adversely (9,10).
Methods employed for assessing sulphate damage were measurements on
expansion and weight along with determination of dynamic modulus of
elasticity after every ten cycles. Since the presence of chlorides largely increases
the expansions in sulphate environments, accelerated chloride ion diffusion test
was carried out to assess the permeability of concrete with brick aggregates to
chloride ion by Voltage Driven Chloride Diffusion Test (VDCD test) (5,6,10).
100mm diameter, 50mm thick cores were used for this test. Brick aggregates
were analysed for the presence of sulphates and chlorides, results of which are
given in Table 2.

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Eighth Islamic Countries Conference on Statistical Sciences (ICCS - VIII December 21-24, 2002
University of Bahrain, Bahrain.

Performance of brick aggregate concrete

Chloride ion diffusion test

Table 3 gives the variation in chloride ion concentration with time (10). The rate
of chloride diffusion was observed to be almost three times higher for concrete
with normal construction brick aggregate as compared to concrete with normal
aggregates possibly due to the presence of almost 0.2375% of chlorides present
originally in the normal construction brick aggregates and due to the fact that it
is easier for the ions to move through the more porous normal construction brick
aggregates. The rate of chloride diffusion through concrete with sandlime brick
aggregate concrete was observed to be about two and a quarter times higher than
the value for concrete with normal aggregates. Diffusion of chloride ion was
observed to be at a very high rate for the first four days. Concrete with
engineering brick aggregates showed a gradual increase in the rate of chloride
ion diffusion over a period of seven days similar to concrete with normal
aggregates. The rate of chloride ion diffusion through concrete with engineering
brick aggregate was observed to be almost double than for concrete with normal
aggregates aggregates.

Sulphate resistance test

The reduction in dynamic modulus for concrete with normal aggregates was
almost twenty times for w/c ratio of 0.63 and almost ten times for w/c ratio of
0.50 as compared to normal construction brick aggregate concrete. However the
increase in length for concrete with normal construction brick aggregates was
almost twice the value for concrete with normal aggregates but was still
significantly less than the critical value of 0.1%. Table 4 gives the performance
of concrete with normal construction brick aggregates in the sulphate resistance
test. Extensive pitting and scaling along with numerous minute cracks were
observed on the surface of concrete after 30 cycles of saturation in sulphate
solution and drying alternately. The reason for such a small reduction in
dynamic modulus of concrete with normal construction brick aggregate is that
possible formation of ettringite and its expansion by absorbing water can be
accommodated in the large pores available in the brick aggregates, without
having significant effects on the existing microstructure of concrete. The lower
coefficient of thermal expansion of concrete with normal construction brick
aggregates as compared to concrete with normal aggregates also reduces the
effects of differential expansion/contraction. Crystallisation of salts on drying
tend to increase the expansion. The net expansions of concrete with normal
construction brick aggregates did not reach anywhere near the critical value. The
loss in weight of concrete with normal construction brick aggregates was
observed to be around 1% as compared to an average loss in weight of 3.9% for
concrete with normal aggregates.
The reduction in dynamic modulus and expansion for concrete with sandlime
brick aggregates is nearly half the value for concrete with normal aggregates.
The loss in weight of concrete with sandlime brick aggregate was observed to be

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Durability of Concrete with Crushed Brick Coarse Aggregates

around 8.5% which is slightly over twice the value for concrete with normal
aggregates. Table 4 shows the performance of concrete with sandlime brick
aggregate in the sulphate resistance test. The excessive loss in weight of
concrete with sandlime brick aggregates is due to the leaching of large amounts
of lime resulting in increased amounts of sulphates diffusing into concrete
causing large reductions in dynamic modulus(10). The expansion of concrete
with sandlime brick aggregates was small. Small cracks and pitting on surface
started after 20 cycles of saturation in sulphate solution followed by drying.
After 40 cycles large cracks up to 2mm width and 6 to 7mm deep could be seen
on the surface along with excessive pitting and cracking(10).
The average loss in weight of concrete with engineering bricks was observed to
be 3.28%. The average reduction in the dynamic modulus for concrete with
engineering brick aggregates was observed to be about 46% of the value for
concrete with normal aggregates. Average values for expansion of concrete with
engineering brick aggregate were observed to be similar to concrete with normal
aggregates. Expansions in the case of concrete with engineering brick aggregate
and with normal aggregates, both reached the critical value of 0.1% with a loss
in dynamic modulus of 24.5% and 54.9% respectively. Table 4 gives the
performance of concrete with engineering brick aggregates in the sulphate
resistance test. Concrete with engineering brick aggregate displayed expansions
similar to concrete with normal aggregates yet the reduction in dynamic
modulus was observed to be about 46% of the value of concrete with normal
aggregates because of difference in differential expansion/contraction of
engineering brick aggregate and mortar and normal aggregates and mortar due
to their different stiffnesses. The stiffness of engineering brick aggregate is less
than that of normal aggregates and hence it is more compatible with the stiffness
of mortar, due to which there is reduced microcracking within aggregates,
aggregate and mortar interface and in mortar. Table 4 gives the performance of
concrete with normal aggregates. The large reduction in dynamic modulus of
concrete with normal aggregates is due to the difference in absorption of mortar
and normal aggregates particles leading to differential expansions. Due to the
very low absorption of normal aggregates particles, most of the sulphate solution
is absorbed in the mortar only, resulting in expansion of the mortar due to the
formation of ettringite and resulting expansion due to it. On drying, the
formation of salt crystals also causes dilative pressures on the mortar since more
sulphates are absorbed by it as compared to a negligible quantity absorbed by
normal aggregates particles (10).

Conclusions
When subjected to sulphate attack, performance of concrete with different types
of crushed brick aggregates perform as follows:-
Concrete with normal construction brick aggregates show twice as much
expansions as compared to concrete with normal aggregates aggregate but the
loss in weight is about one fourth and the reduction in dynamic modulus is
negligible.

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Eighth Islamic Countries Conference on Statistical Sciences (ICCS - VIII December 21-24, 2002
University of Bahrain, Bahrain.

Concrete with sandlime brick aggregate shows almost half the value of
expansion and reduction of dynamic modulus as compared to normal aggregates
concrete but loss of weight was slightly over twice the value for normal
aggregates concrete.
Concrete with engineering brick aggregate shows almost similar expansions as
compared to concrete with normal aggregates. The average reduction in
dynamic modulus for concrete with engineering brick aggregate was 30 to 50%
lower and the weight loss was 15% lower than concrete with normal aggregates
aggregate.
Concrete with crushed brick aggregates show two to three times higher
permeability towards chloride ions as compared to normal aggregates concrete
depending on the type of brick aggregate.

References
Akhtaruzzaman, A.A. and Hasnat, Abul., Properties of concrete using crushed
brick as aggregate, Concrete International, Vol. 5, No. 2, Feb, 1983.

Akhtaruzzaman, A.A. and Hasnat, A., Shear and flexural behaviour of brick
aggregate concrete beams without web reinforcement, American Concrete
Institute Journal, March-April, 1986.

3. Khan, A.H. and Choudhry, J.R., A rationale for making structural

concrete using broken brick aggregate in Bangladesh, International Conference
on Materials of Construction for developing countries, Bangkok, Thailand.
Aug, 1978.

4. Teychenne, D.C., Franklin, R.E. and Erntroy, H.C., Design of normal

concrete mixes, (Replacement to Road Note.4), Department of Environment -
Transport and Road Research Laboratory, London, 1988(Revised).

5. Report by ACI Committee 201, Guide to durable concrete, ACI

Journal, December, 1977.

6. El-Belbol, Said M. and Buenfeld, N.R., Accelerated chloride ion

diffusion test, Materials Research Society Proceedings, Vol. 137, 1989.

7. British Standards Institution, Method for determination of water-

soluble chloride salts. BSI, London, 1988, BS 812: Part 117.

8. British Standards Institution, Methods for determination of sulphate

content. BSI, London, 1988, BS 812: Part 118.

9. T. Kibriya and P.R.S. Speare, The use of crushed brick coarse

aggregates in concrete, International Congress on “Concrete in the Service of
Mankind” 24 – 28 June, 1996, Dundee, Scotland.

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Durability of Concrete with Crushed Brick Coarse Aggregates

10. T. Kibriya, The Properties of Concrete with Crushed Brick Coarse

Aggregates, Dissertation submitted for fulfilling requirement of Ph.D., The City
University, London, U.K., 1991.

S/ TYPE OF CRUSHING ABSORPTION DENSITY

NO BRICK STR kg/m3
1 Normal brick 19.54N/mm2 23.245% 1292.8
2 Sandlime brick 15.39N/mm2 14.808% 1721.5
3 Engineering 40.25N/mm2 6.395% 1872.2
brick

Table 1: Properties of bricks

SAMPLE CHLORIDES % SULPHATES %

Normal brick 0.2375 0.2755
Sandlime brick 0.0218 0.0096
Engineering brick 0.0193 0.0825

Table 2. Sulphate and chloride contents of brick.

DAY VOLTAGE CURRENT TEMPRATURE(C) CONCENTRATION

Cl OH ROOM 1mMol/m
SAMPLE 1: LBC
7days 40 0.26A 28.3 27.9 23 14812.5
SAMPLE 2: SBC
7days 40 0.26A 28.2 27.1 23 23269.4
SAMPLE 3: EBC
7days 40 0.20A 28.2 27.7 22 20935.7
SAMPLE 4: GC
7days 40 0.20A 25.1 25.0 22 10149.5

Table 3. Results of VDCD test.

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Eighth Islamic Countries Conference on Statistical Sciences (ICCS - VIII December 21-24, 2002
University of Bahrain, Bahrain.

Sample No.1. Normal construction brick aggregate concrete

W/C ratio 0.63
Reduction in dyn mod = 1.7%, Increase in length = 0.067%
W/C ratio 0.50
Reduction in dyn mod = 6.63%, Increase in length = 0.05%
Sample No. 2. Sandlime brick aggregate concrete
W/C ratio 0.63
Reduction in dyn mod = 23.44%, Decrease in length = 0.0026%
W/C ratio 0.50
Reduction in dyn mod = 38.3%, Decrease in length = 0.06%
Sample No.3. Engineering brick aggregate concrete
W/C ratio 0.63
Reduction in dyn mod = 28%, Increase in length = 0.045%
W/C ratio 0.50
Reduction in dyn mod = 16.3%, Increase in length = 0.018%
W/C ratio 0.385
Reduction in dyn mod = 24.5%, Increase in length = 0.106%
W/C ratio 0.296
Reduction in dyn mod = 34.7%, Increase in length = 0.08%
Sample No. 4. Normal aggregates concrete
W/C ratio 0.63
Reduction in dyn mod = 40.86%, Increase in length = 0.018%
W/C ratio 0.50
Reduction in dyn mod = 70.65%, Decrease in length = 0.03%
W/C ratio 0.385
Reduction in dyn mod = 54.92%, Increase in length = 0.058%
W/C ratio 0.296
Reduction in dyn mod = 60.6%, Increase in length = 0.096%

Table 4. Performance of concrete with various types of aggregates in sulphate

resistance test after 50 cycles.

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 Durability of Concrete with Crushed Brick Coarse Aggregates

Dated: November 1, 2002

No. ISOSS/2002/03/

Professor Dr. Tahir Kibriya

NUST, College of Civil Engineering
Risalpur.

Subject: EIGHTH ISLAMIC COUNTRIES CONFERENCE ON

STATISTICAL SCIENCES (ICCS-VIII) TO BE HELD ON
DECEMBER 21-24, 2002 AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BAHRAIN.

Dear Dr. Kibriya,

Thanks for your email enclosing the full-length papers entitled “DURABILITY
OF CONCRETE WITH CRUSHED BRICK COARSE AGGREGATES” which
you plan to present at the Eighth Islamic Countries Conference on Statistical
Sciences (ICCS-VIII) scheduled to be held at the University of Bahrain, Bahrain
on December 21-24, 2002.

The Conference International Scientific Committee has accepted the papers for
presentation at the Conference.

With regards & best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

(Akhlaq Ahmad)
Executive Director
ISOSS

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