Experimental Investigation on Strength and Durability of Papercrete Bricks: A Sustainable Construction Material

Abstract

The construction industry is currently facing a dual challenge: the depletion of natural resources due to the excessive excavation of topsoil for conventional clay bricks and the environmental pollution caused by the accumulation of waste paper in landfills. This research paper presents an experimental investigation into the development of \"Papercrete Bricks,\" a lightweight composite material comprising re-pulped waste paper, Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), sand, and lime. The study aimed to design a masonry unit that effectively recycles paper waste while maintaining structural integrity. The specimens were cast using a mix proportion of 1:1:0.5 (Paper: Sand: Cement) and cured for 28 days. Laboratory tests were conducted in accordance with IS 3495 standards. The results indicate that Papercrete bricks achieved a compressive strength of 3.13 MPa and a water absorption rate of 28.5%. Furthermore, the bricks exhibited a 25% reduction in dead weight compared to standard fly ash bricks. The study concludes that while Papercrete is not suitable for load-bearing walls due to high porosity, it is an excellent, cost-effective, and sustainable material for non-load-bearing partition walls and framed structure infills.

Introduction

Rapid urbanization has increased demand for construction materials, but conventional red clay bricks cause significant environmental harm through topsoil depletion and CO? emissions. Simultaneously, municipal solid waste, especially low-grade paper, presents disposal challenges. Papercrete, a composite of waste paper, cement, and sand, offers a sustainable solution by recycling paper into lightweight construction bricks for non-load-bearing applications.

Literature Insights:

• Papercrete is ductile and elastic, making it suitable for seismic-resistant structures, though it has lower compressive strength than concrete.

• It is 30–40% cheaper than conventional bricks, but water absorption remains high.

• Optimal mix ratio: 1:1:0.5 (Paper Pulp : Sand : Cement).

Materials & Manufacturing:

• Uses waste paper (micro-reinforcement), OPC cement, sand, lime, and water.

• Process involves pulping (soaking + blending), mixing, hand casting into molds, sun drying, and 28-day water curing.

Experimental Results:

• Compressive Strength: 3.13 MPa (suitable for partition walls), ductile failure mode.

• Water Absorption: 28.5% (requires plastering for waterproofing).

• Weight: 2.25 kg per brick, ~25% lighter than Flyash bricks.

• Impact Resistance: High due to fiber reinforcement.

Comparative Advantage over Flyash Bricks:

• Lighter weight, ductile behavior, high eco-friendliness, though slightly lower strength and higher water absorption.

Conclusion

Based on the experimental results, the following conclusions are drawn: 1) Papercrete bricks utilize waste material effectively, reducing landfill load and preserving natural topsoil. 2) With a compressive strength of 3.13 MPa, these bricks are suitable for non-load-bearing applications such as internal partition walls and compound walls. 3) The 25% weight reduction makes Papercrete an ideal material for reducing the dead load on structural frames, potentially lowering steel reinforcement costs. 4) The high water absorption (28.5%) is a limitation. Therefore, Papercrete walls should not be exposed to direct rainfall without waterproof plastering. Future research should focus on the addition of waterproofing admixtures like silicon-based sealants to improve durability and water resistance.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Chaitali Meshram, Tuhin Mandal, Shlok Rambhad, Ved Bisen, Prof. Archana Mahajan. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.