• D.S. Jaihind
• G. Aron
• V. Gowtham
• M.L. Mohanaram
• Dr. K. Madheswaran

The construction industry's reliance on conventional concrete, with its high self-weight, leads to increased dead loads and environmental degradation due to the excessive quarrying of natural aggregates. This research comprehensively investigates the utilization of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste, specifically crushed red brick, as a partial and full replacement for natural coarse aggregate to produce sustainable lightweight concrete. An experimental program was designed where natural granite aggregate was replaced by crushed red brick aggregate (CRBA) at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% volumes in an M25 grade concrete mix. The study meticulously evaluated the impact of CRBA on the workability of fresh concrete through slump tests. For hardened concrete, a detailed analysis of compressive strength at 7, 14, and 28 days, split tensile strength, density, and water absorption was conducted. The results demonstrated a progressive reduction in density, with the 100% CRBA mix achieving a density of 1890 kg/m³, classifying it as structural lightweight concrete. While the workability decreased due to the high absorption of bricks, the 28-day compressive strength for 25% and 50% replacement levels was 28.1 MPa and 24.6 MPa, respectively, deemed acceptable for many structural applications. A significant finding was the 16% reduction in concrete density with a 50% replacement, indicating substantial dead load savings. This study conclusively proves that crushed red brick aggregate is not merely a waste material but a valuable resource for producing eco-friendly, cost-effective lightweight concrete, contributing to circular economy principles in construction.

Lightweight Concrete, Crushed Red Brick Aggregate (CRBA), Sustainable Construction, Recycled Aggregates, Compressive Strength, Split Tensile Strength, Workability, Waste Management

"EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF CRUSHED RED BRICKS AS LIGHT WEIGHT AGGREGATE IN CONCRETE", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 10, page no.e77-e82, October-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2510413.pdf

"EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF CRUSHED RED BRICKS AS LIGHT WEIGHT AGGREGATE IN CONCRETE", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 10, page no. ppe77-e82, October-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2510413.pdf