11 Advantages of Fly Ash Bricks

Thinking to use fly ash bricks in your next construction project? Confused about whether it is better than the conventional bricks or not? Do not worry, this article will help you know the advantages of fly ash bricks and why to use them in your next project. Read on! 

Fly ash bricks have been used over the years in the construction industry. The bricks offer rigidity, strength, and durability to the building structures. Apart from this, fly ash bricks are convenient and affordable. Let’s learn more about them and the advantages of fly ash bricks to help you understand more.

Also read: 7 Disadvantages of Fly Ash Bricks

What is Fly Ash Bricks?

advantages of fly ash bricks

Fly ash bricks are the form of bricks unconventionally manufactured with industrial waste such as cement, fly ash, stone, and sand dust. These bricks are widely used for the construction of buildings and offer several advantages over clay bricks. We will discuss all the advantages of fly ash bricks in the next section. Keep reading! 

Advantages of Fly Ash Bricks

Fly ash bricks offer various significant advantages over clay bricks. It does not mean that there are no disadvantages to using these bricks but we will be focusing on the advantages of fly ash bricks this time. Maybe another post for the cons.

So, let’s not wait more, read all the advantages of fly ash bricks and you can decide whether to use them in your next project or not.  

Also Read: A Guide to Different Types of Slabs

1. Great Strength 

advantages of fly ash bricks

These bricks offer high compressive strength of about 9-10 N/m₂. This is why it doesn’t break easily while transported from one place to another. Also, the lower plaster thickness and joints reduce the cracking of the plasters. 

The bricks are lightweight, so it doesn’t add load to the structure of the building, and also offer excellent resistance from earthquake. Over time, it offers strength and great strength. 

2. Excellent Appearance 

advantages of fly ash bricks

The fly asks bricks to look attractive due to their uniform size, pleasant cement color, and smooth finish. Also, because of its uniformity in size, the requirement of mortar for plastering and walls has been reduced almost by 50%.

Gypsum plaster or plaster of Paris can be applied easily on these bricks without any baking plaster coating. The bricks are free from wrap age, cracks, pebbles, organic matter, and nodules. 

3. Durability 

The fly ash bricks have better durability and are less porous. Due to its low permeability, it can effectively reduce the efflorescence effect on bricks. Moreover, the bricks absorb less water, are less porous, and reduce wall dampness. These fly ash bricks are highly resistant to mild acid, sulfate, and water attacks. 

Also Read: A Guide on Types of Cement and Its Uses

4. Thermal Properties 

Fly ash bricks has a thermal conductivity of around 0.90-1.05 W/m₂. This means these bricks can absorb minimum heat and keep your area cool. Also, the pozzolanic reaction between lime and fly ash produces a low amount of heath. It helps to keep your houses/buildings cool during summer. That’s why these bricks are best suited for Indian climates. 

5. Fire Resistance 

advantages of fly ash bricks

The fly ash bricks offer high resistance from fire as compared to other forms of bricks. Hence, your buildings remain protected from fire accidents. 

6. Sound Insulation 

The buildings that are constructed with fly ash bricks have sound insulation. This is one of the best advantages of fly ash bricks over conventional red bricks. 

7. Buildability 

Other advantages of Fly ash bricks are that they absorb minimum water and offer easy workability. It doesn’t require soaking in the water for 24 hours like clay bricks. Water sprinkling is enough to use these bricks for construction purposes. The construction technique is similar to clay bricks, so you don’t need to develop any extra skills.  

Also Read: Difference between One Way Slab and Two Way Slab

8. Sustainable 

advantages of fly ash bricks

Fly ash bricks are highly sustainable and environmentally friendly. The bricks are made with waste material generated from coal combustion in thermal power plants. Apart from this, it doesn’t cause any pollution to the environment. This is why it is listed in the white category products. 

9. Cost Effective 

Fly Ash bricks are highly cost-effective and cover a significant amount of area compared to clay bricks. It requires less labor, and mortar consumption is deficient. The cost of fly ash bricks is 30% less compared to clay bricks. 

10. Availability 

The bricks are generated with thermal power plant coast waste. So, it is easily available near the thermal power plant. This is why finding big dealers of fly ash bricks in towns, and metropolitan cities will not be an issue. 

11. Better Applicability 

Fly ash bricks are lightweight, which is why it is highly suitable for multi-story building construction. It causes less stress on the buildings. Moreover, the bricks can also be used as load-bearing external walls in external building walls and middle and lower structures.

Fly ash bricks are also used in non-load-bearing internal and external walls and non-load-bearing internal walls in middle and lower structures and high-rise buildings. 

Here’s one guide that will help you learn the different types of walls used in building construction.

FAQs

  1. How long do fly ash bricks last?

    Fly ash brick is made of class C or class F ash and water compressed at 28 MPa. It is then steam bath for more than 24 hours on 65 degree temperature. After that, entrainment agent is used to solidify it. With all this, fly ash bricks last more than 100 free-thaw cycles easily.

  2. What are the reasons fly ash bricks are used in construction?

    Fly ash bricks are cheaper in comparison to conventional clay bricks having great properties such ad durability, sound proof and much. Few of the advantages of fly ash bricks are mentioned above in the post that you can read.

  3. Are fly ash bricks heat resistant?

    Yes, fly ash bricks are fire resistant that means they can resist heat as well easily.

  4. Are fly ash bricks safe for health?

    There are minor traces of toxic metals present in fly ash like arsenic, chromium, antimony, mercury, etc that can be harmful for the humans. However the fly ash are converted to fly ash bricks first that can be used in the building materials.

  5. What is the compressive strength of fly ash bricks?

    The compressive strength of fly ash bricks is 10-12 N/mm². In other words, fly ash bricks compressive strength is normally three times greater than conventional red bricks.

Advantages of Fly Ash Bricks: Final Words

These are some of the best advantages of fly ash bricks. These bricks are easy to make and are highly sustainable. Due to its cost-effectiveness and high strength, it is used in various building constructions.

Apart from this, it offers maximum resistance from fire accidents and can bear extra load easily. Hence, it would be a better alternative to the clay bricks. Moreover, it also helps to deal with cement and coal ash waste generated in thermal power plants. 

What do you think about these advantages of fly ash bricks? Do you think fly ash bricks have an edge over red bricks? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

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