Development of Building Bricks using Cupola Slag and Sugarcane Bagasse Ash

Rapid urbanization and growth in construction activities have resulted in increased demand for sustainable, eco-friendly building materials. This research investigates the potential of cupola slag, a byproduct of cast iron production, and the use of sugarcane bagasse ash, a byproduct of the sugar industry, as supplementary basic materials in brick manufacturing. A constant 10% cement content was maintained in all the mixes, while the proportions of cupola slag and sugarcane bagasse ash changed from 55% to 65%. From among the three different mix designs, the M1 mix (55% cupola slag, 35% sugarcane bagasse ash and 10% cement) performed best with a compressive strength of 3.32 N/mm², which is higher than that of conventional burnt clay bricks (3.5 N/mm²). Apart from its superior strength, the M1 mix recorded the lowest water absorption of 7.0% and a density of 1529.77 kg/m³, which is within the limits suitable for structural applications. The study shall be useful to demonstrate that agricultural and industrial waste materials can be used to enhance the strength and durability of bricks to meet some of the major environmental issues facing the country. This strategy significantly helps to promote waste management and sustainability goals by reducing the dependence on natural resources and the quantity of waste disposed of in landfills. The outcome of this study shows that combining these components offers a useful and low-cost method of producing durable bricks. These eco-friendly bricks provide a sustainable solution to the infrastructure needs of smart cities apart from resonating with the concepts of green building. This would encourage more urban development projects working to reduce environmental footprints by meeting the demands of modern, sustainable cities with efficient use of resources and innovative use of waste. Cutting-edge advances in construction materials go a long way toward helping achieve the development of a circular economy and the objective of resilient, sustainable urban environments.