Republic of the Philippines

CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE

F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Materials Science and Engineering

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

1.) Introduction

Construction sector has a vital role in urban and economic development but
at the same time is the major source of pollution. The mining of minerals, the
production of waste, and the degradation of environment, emissions of
greenhouse gases, lots of energy consumption are only some of the problems that
come along with the construction sector. However, ecological bricks rise as an
environment friendly, and long-lasting substitute to conventional bricks in civil
construction in this sense. Conventional bricks are a result of clays, which is a
natural source subjected to exhausting explorations and extraction from deposits,
and they are also subjected to firing in kilns that need a lot of energy and release
large amounts of pollutant gases to the atmosphere. With respect to the above, the
present work intends to give an exhaustive bibliographic analysis about
ecological blocks as a sustainable material in civil construction. The
environmental, economical and technical aspects of these materials will be
discussed illustrating their pros and cons. Case studies from literature and projects
in real world that used ecological bricks will also be highlighted to show their
practicality and results. In conclusion, it is expected that this work will help to
disseminate the ecological bricks knowledge and to encourage the use of these
materials during civil construction thus, promoting an environmentally friendly
approach.

Materials Science and Engineering

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

2.) Methodology

SUSTAINABILITY OF ECOLOGICAL BRICKS

The sustainability of ecological bricks has proven to be a promising
solution for civil construction. Unlike conventional bricks, which are
produced by firing clay in kilns at high temperatures, eco-friendly bricks are
made from recycled or sustainable materials such as soil-cement, industrial
waste, or even recycled plastics. This approach significantly reduces
greenhouse gas emissions and prevents over-extraction of natural resources.
In addition, ecological bricks have excellent resistance and thermal insulation,
providing greater energy efficiency to buildings. With its use, it is possible to
build more sustainable buildings, reducing the environmental impact of the
construction industry and promoting a greener and more conscious future
(Oliveira et al., 2019)

2.1) REDUCTION OF NATURAL RESOURCE CONSUMPTION IN

BRICK PRODUCTION

Materials Science and Engineering

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Conventional brick production requires a significant amount of clay, which

is extracted from natural quarries. This extraction activity, in addition to being
harmful to the environment, can result in the degradation of natural ecosystems.
However, the use of ecological bricks makes it possible to reduce the demand
for clay, as it uses alternative materials in its composition (Silva, 2018).
Ecological bricks are one of the possible solutions in civil engineering and
they imply the conservation of natural resources and the decrease of pollutant
emissions in the environment. The partial substitution of clay by fly ash and the
use of artificial sand are examples of the methods that the production of
ecological bricks can adopt, with the goal of conserving natural resources.
Besides cold pressing is another production method that is sustainable and leads
to less damaging the environment.

2.2) MINIMIZING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS DURING

MANUFACTURING

One of the main aspects that make ecological bricks a sustainable

alternative is the raw material used in their production. Unlike conventional
bricks, which are manufactured by firing clay at high temperatures, ecological
bricks are produced from materials such as soil-cement, industrial waste,
natural fibers, among others. This change in the composition of materials allows
for a reduction in the consumption of natural resources, such as clay, in addition
to minimizing the emission of greenhouse gases during the production process
(Sousa, 2020).

To summarise, ecological bricks are a viable substitute in the field of civil

construction, helping to reduce the negative effects that their production has on
the environment. These materials are a promising option in the construction
industry search for more environmentally friendly methods because of their

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

potential to reduce waste generation, use of alternative materials, lower energy

consumption, and improved thermal and acoustic performance. In order to protect
the environment and advance sustainable development, it is crucial that the
construction industry embraces more and more cutting-edge solutions, like
ecological bricks.

2.3) CARBON FOOTPRINT ASSESSMENT OF ECO-FRIENDLY

BRICKS
The concern with sustainability in civil construction has gained more and
more prominence, leading to the search for materials that cause less
environmental impact. In this context, ecological bricks emerge as a promising
alternative, since they have a lower carbon footprint compared to
conventional bricks. Carbon footprint refers to the amount of greenhouse gases
emitted throughout a product's life cycle. In this sense, the assessment of the
carbon footprint of ecological bricks is fundamental for the verification of its
potential as a sustainable material in civil construction.

About to the evaluation of the carbon footprint of the green bricks it can be
noted that they are more sustainable than traditional ones. It is important to note
that they are made from recycled materials and consume less energy and have a
long lifespan. According to their characteristics, ecological bricks are a good
alternative for construction industry since their use would contribute to societal
demand for eco-friendly practices in this sector.

Materials Science and Engineering

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

3.) Results

When it comes to making sure a structure stands strong and lasts long. And
we have two key factors come into play structural performance and durability.
Structural performance refers to how well a structure can handle heavy loads also
resist deformation, and stay stable over time. It's crucial to design and construct a
structure with the right balance of load distribution and the use of suitable
materials that can withstand the forces it all face. On other hand, durability is all
about how well a structure can resist the effects of its environment like corrosion,
exposure to chemicals or the elements and everyday wear and tear from use. Both
these factors are essential to ensure that a structure remains efficient and has a
long lifespan.

Besides, the ecological brick's technical properties ensure your comfort and
safety construction of people, in addition to a decrease in energy consumption. In
this case of construction, the use of these materials may lead to decreased
production and execution costs. However, we should take into consideration that
those case studies are only the examples of companies that gained from
ecological bricks use, but there are plenty of other possibilities for implementing
this sustainable material in the civil construction. Adopting eco-bricks would
mean taking one of the steps necessary to change the construction sector, one that
is geared towards sustainability and responsibility.

Materials Science and Engineering

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

4.) Discussion

The introduction of ecological bricks as a sustainable material in

construction has many positive social and economic impacts. From the economic
point of view, it is efficient in that the construction costs of eco-bricks will be
reduced in the long run when they are made of recycled or renewable materials
such as industrial waste, soil-cement, or even recycled plastic. This substitute
decreases the amount of the natural resources extracted and the transportation
costs, since there are plenty of these materials in the surroundings. Also,
ecological blocks possess a very good thermal and acoustic insulation, which
results in the heating and cooling processes becoming very energy-efficient,
leading to energy savings for the residents. From the social perspective,
ecological bricks help to lower the pollution in the air and water, which
contributes to the improvement of the environment for the construction workers
and the local people. Besides, using green construction methods helps raise the
level of environmental consciousness which leads to the knowledge
dissemination that natural resources and social responsibility are of great concern
in civil construction.

4.1) COST OF ECO-BRICKS COMPARED TO CONVENTIONAL ONES

One of the relevant aspects in comparing the costs between ecological and
conventional bricks is the production process. Conventional bricks are
generally manufactured by firing clay in kilns, which requires high energy
consumption and emissions of polluting gases. On the other hand,
ecological bricks are produced from the mixture of materials such as soil-cement,
construction waste, and sand, without the need for burning. About for comparing
the cost of ecological bricks to conventional ones, we need to consider the labor
expenses as well. Using ecological bricks involves specific construction

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

techniques that may require workers to have more training and skills. As a result,
the labor costs can be higher compared to building with conventional bricks.

4.2) GENERATION OF JOBS IN THE PRODUCTION AND USE OF

ECOLOGICAL BRICKS

The construction industry plays a significant role in the global economy,

both in terms of job creation and environmental impact. With the growing
concern with sustainability, alternatives have been sought that minimize the
environmental impact of civil construction, and one of these alternatives is the
use of ecological bricks. In this context, it is important to analyze not only the
environmental benefits of these materials, but also the positive impacts on job
creation.

4.3) GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES FOR THE ADOPTION OF

SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS IN CIVIL CONSTRUCTION

To this context the use of sustainable materials in civil construction has

emerged as a promising way to reduce environmental impacts and promote
sustainability in the industry. To encourage this thought many countries have
introduced government incentives to make it easier for construction companies
and professionals to adopt these materials. In this knowledge we'll explore some
of these incentives and how they are impacting the industry. These incentives not
only help reduce environmental impacts but also bring economic, social, and
technological benefits to the construction sector. That's why it's crucial for
governments to keep investing in these incentives and encourage the shift towards
more sustainable civil construction.

Materials Science and Engineering

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

5.) Conclusion

To be summed up, the arrival of ecological bricks marks a prominent

transition in the building of sustainable constructions. These blocks started its
way from students’ creative considerations into a solid and viable approach to
substituting traditional construction elements. Thus, thru the salvage of the waste
matters and the integration of the eco-friendly manufacturing processes,
ecological bricks are not only a preventive measure of environmental pollution
but also a solution embodied in the material itself as the matter obtains better
insulation and durability. Also, the implementation of such new technologies
involved have a serious impact on the preexisting more traditional construction
procedures, which emphasize sustainability, undermining its structural integrity
and the aesthetical beauty that the edifice can convey.

Furthermore, besides the revolution that ecological bricks bring to

constructions, they can raise similar ideas with other industries and society as a
whole. With the comprehension of the climate crisis and emergence of the
sustainability priority, the eco-bricks scalability and diversity enable a practical
way of reaching the target of net-zero carbon emissions in the built environment.
Through encouraging the use of ecological bricks in construction we not only
build structures but also lay the foundation for a world where human activity and
nature coexist in harmony and withstanding resilience.

Materials Science and Engineering

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

References

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análise de impacto ambiental. Revista de Engenharia Civil, v. 10, n. 2, p. 45-58,
2021.

Carvalho, A. B. (2019). Estudo da resistência à compressão de tijolos

ecológicos produzidos com diferentes composições de solo-cimento. Revista de
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COLAÇO, L. M. M. A Evolução da Sustentabilidade no Ambiente Construído

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Ferreira, A. S. (2017). Análise comparativa de custos entre construção

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Gonçalves, R. A. (2021). "Avaliação da pegada de carbono na produção de tijolos

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Materials Science and Engineering

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Lima, F. R. (2019). Avaliação da resistência mecânica de tijolos ecológicos em

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Melo, P. A. (2022). "Reciclagem de tijolos ecológicos: uma análise da

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Oliveira, M. S. (2021). Aplicação de tijolos ecológicos em construções de baixo

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