Bangladeshi researchers made chemical bricks from wastes
After three years of continuous research by Bangladeshi researchers, the chemical bricks from wastes are coming 'from lab to fab'. And thus, Bangladesh is going to enter the environmentally friendly sustainable construction industry from waste to domestic technology. The day of waiting for the actual use of this technology from the research lab of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology is coming to an end by next month.
The research was conducted in collaboration with the Liverpool John Moores University in England.
Researchers claim that the bricks made in the laboratory using chemical geopolymers are an alternative to conventional brick kiln bricks.
The American Concrete Institute (ACI), an international construction policy-making body, has already recognized its claim as sustainable.
Meanwhile, a 16-member research team of CUET students is involved in the project to make chemical bricks with the financial support of the British government. The bricks they invented have been able to withstand 50 and a half mega pascals of pressure in lab tests. Moreover, it is possible to increase its strength by using binding materials. In other words, these bricks will be very strong even if not burned in the fire. And the water absorption in making these bricks is a maximum of 8% so the walls will be dry and durable.
G.M. Sadiqul Islam, the head of the research team and Professor of Civil Engineering Department of CUET informed that they are now working hard to complete the work within the project period.
He added that chemical bricks are being made from fly ash produced from coal-fired power plants, three types of slag produced during steelmaking and waste from dismantled buildings.
While asked how it would be made, Professor Sadiqul Islam answered that "We have brought machines from China to make bricks. "Indigenous technology eco-friendly bricks will be made in this machine by mixing chemicals with wastes. This will make waste management easier as well as protect the environment.
During the talk, the researcher said that the price of a single brick made from waste will be less than 10 Taka. Researchers are now working to reduce construction costs commercially. Civil engineering scientists of Bangladesh want to play a role in spreading this indigenous technology globally with the help of the government. CUET students Lamia Islam, Anika Farzana, Tahsin Mahmud, Shafqat R Rumman, Mosaddek Hamim, Ishrat Jahan, Mahtab Ismam, Sudipta Sarkar, SM Shahriar Sifat, Md. Ehsanul Kabir and Mumtahina Alam and Liverpool John Moores University professor Dr Monower Sadique (investigator) are now working in this team.
