Comparative Analysis of Thermal Insulation Properties of Bricks Made from Local and Industrial By-Products

As global energy efficiency demands grow, the need for affordable and sustainable insulating building materials becomes more critical. This study explores the thermal insulation performance of bricks made using locally available materials and industrial by-products. The aim of this research is to assess and compare the thermal insulation properties of bricks produced from laterite, clay, and industrial by-products such as fly ash and rice husk ash (RHA). The methodology involved producing four types of bricks: conventional clay bricks, laterite-based bricks, fly ash-based bricks, and RHA-blended bricks. Each type was cured, dried, and tested under standardized conditions for thermal conductivity using the guarded hot plate method, in accordance with ASTM C177. Thermal conductivity values obtained were: conventional clay bricks (0.82 W/mK), laterite bricks (0.67 W/mK), fly ash bricks (0.54 W/mK), and RHA bricks (0.49 W/mK). Results show that RHA and fly ash bricks outperform conventional bricks in thermal insulation, with the RHA-based bricks demonstrating the lowest thermal conductivity. These findings highlight the potential of industrial by-products in producing eco-friendly, energy-efficient building materials. This research supports the application of these alternative bricks in sustainable construction, particularly in hot climates where thermal insulation can significantly reduce energy demand for cooling.