EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON LIGHTWEIGHT BRICKS INCORPORATING EXPANDED PERLITE AS SUSTAINABLE FINE AGGREGATE

Abstract The rise in demand for light and eco-friendly construction materials resulted in the design of alternative light bricks. Such demand inspired studies on the use of perlite in lieu of sand to create lightweight bricks. P1–P11 were used with perlite proportions ranging from 0% up to 100% for laboratory testing. Compressive strength and density were tested on cubes of 50 x 50 x 50 mm at curing ages of 7, 14, and 28 days. As revealed from the research findings, this exceptional rise in density has drastically decreased with greater proportions of perlite, reaching 2034.05 kg/mᶦ(control mix) to 631.74 kg/mᶦ(100% perlite). The compressive strength at 28 days decreased from 14.76 MPa to 1.01 MPa for increased perlite contents. It was found that the density of a mix with 20–30% perlite was between 1144 and 1393 kg/m³, while compressive strength reached from 2.34 to 2.60 MPa within the SNI 8640:2018 standard for lightweight, non-structural bricks. Results of the study support sustainable and eco-friendly building, as perlite can be used to produce an environmentally friendly lightweight aggregate for non-structural brick units.