Potential for use of crushed waste calcined-clay brick as a supplementary cementitious material in Brazil

The Brazilian ceramic industry generates large amounts of calcined-clay waste. This paper examines the factors that influence its potential for use as a partial replacement of Portland cement. Superplasticized mortars of equal workability containing ground crushed waste calcined-clay brick (GCWCCB) in the proportions of 10, 20, 30 and 40% as a cement replacement were analyzed through mechanical tests, pore structure characterization and durability tests. The results indicated the optimal percentages of substitution lies between 10% to 20%. The potential reduction of CO2 emissions could be as high as 10% of current Brazilian cement industry emissions if this approach were to be fully implemented, and it could be eligible for “Clean Development Mechanism” credits under Kyoto protocol.