Use of eggshell and coffee grounds in ecological bricks: optimization with artificial neural networks

Population growth and the increased consumption of materials have generated significant environmental impacts, particularly in the civil construction industry, one of the largest producers of waste. In this context, soil-cement bricks emerge as a sustainable alternative, as they are produced without firing, reducing emissions, and use local soil, offering advantages such as lightness, thermal comfort, and lower cost. This study investigated the influence of adding residues (coffee grounds and eggshells) on the mechanical strength of these bricks. The soil used had a clayey composition, and the bricks were prepared with different proportions of residues (0%, 10%, 30%, and 50%) mixed with cement. After curing, compression tests evaluated their resistance. The results showed that eggshell improved compressive strength, especially at concentrations of 10% and 30%, while coffee grounds hindered homogenization, reducing strength. Eggshell proved promising as a sustainable aggregate. Additionally, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) were used to optimize material proportions, maximizing strength and minimizing environmental impacts. The ANN modeled the mechanical behavior based on experimental data. This work contributes to the development of eco-friendly materials, highlighting the use of waste as a viable and sustainable alternative for civil construction, and demonstrates the potential of computational methods in innovating construction practices.