Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Towards simplified grading of reclaimed fired clay bricks : Links between density, water absorption, and strength

Kahangi Shahreza, Seyedmohammad LU orcid and Rörig-Dalgaard, Inge (2026) p.837-839
Abstract
Reclaimed bricks are increasingly considered in circular construction; however, their substantial variability highlights the need for improved characterization and grading to enable reliable reuse. This study investigates the relationships among net density, 24h water absorption, initial rate of absorption (IRA), the water absorption coefficient (Aw), and compressive strength (fb) in reclaimed bricks, with the aim of evaluating net density and 24h water absorption as practical screening parameters for mechanical performance. The results show strong correlations between fb and both net density and 24h water absorption, while net density and 24h water absorption are themselves very strongly correlated. In contrast, Aw shows only moderate... (More)
Reclaimed bricks are increasingly considered in circular construction; however, their substantial variability highlights the need for improved characterization and grading to enable reliable reuse. This study investigates the relationships among net density, 24h water absorption, initial rate of absorption (IRA), the water absorption coefficient (Aw), and compressive strength (fb) in reclaimed bricks, with the aim of evaluating net density and 24h water absorption as practical screening parameters for mechanical performance. The results show strong correlations between fb and both net density and 24h water absorption, while net density and 24h water absorption are themselves very strongly correlated. In contrast, Aw shows only moderate correlation with fb, indicating that it is less representative of mechanical performance. These findings suggest that net density and 24h water absorption are suitable practical screening parameters for strength assessment, supporting the development of simplified grading approaches for reclaimed bricks in circular construction. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
International Masonry Conference 2026. State of the Art in Masonry Research. : Proceedings of the 11th International Masonry Conference (IMC 2026) - Proceedings of the 11th International Masonry Conference (IMC 2026)
editor
Gigla, Birger ; Molnár, Miklós and Shrive, Nigel
pages
837 - 839
publisher
Fraunhofer IRB Verlag
ISBN
978-3-7388-1040-0
DOI
10.60628/9783738810400-837
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
5ba29dc9-22ba-40a2-ac58-fc11793bcffe
date added to LUP
2026-08-12 08:34:23
date last changed
2026-08-13 15:44:23
@inproceedings{5ba29dc9-22ba-40a2-ac58-fc11793bcffe,
  abstract     = {{Reclaimed bricks are increasingly considered in circular construction; however, their substantial variability highlights the need for improved characterization and grading to enable reliable reuse. This study investigates the relationships among net density, 24h water absorption, initial rate of absorption (IRA), the water absorption coefficient (Aw), and compressive strength (fb) in reclaimed bricks, with the aim of evaluating net density and 24h water absorption as practical screening parameters for mechanical performance. The results show strong correlations between fb and both net density and 24h water absorption, while net density and 24h water absorption are themselves very strongly correlated. In contrast, Aw shows only moderate correlation with fb, indicating that it is less representative of mechanical performance. These findings suggest that net density and 24h water absorption are suitable practical screening parameters for strength assessment, supporting the development of simplified grading approaches for reclaimed bricks in circular construction.}},
  author       = {{Kahangi Shahreza, Seyedmohammad and Rörig-Dalgaard, Inge}},
  booktitle    = {{International Masonry Conference 2026. State of the Art in Masonry Research. : Proceedings of the 11th International Masonry Conference (IMC 2026)}},
  editor       = {{Gigla, Birger and Molnár, Miklós and Shrive, Nigel}},
  isbn         = {{978-3-7388-1040-0}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{837--839}},
  publisher    = {{Fraunhofer IRB Verlag}},
  title        = {{Towards simplified grading of reclaimed fired clay bricks : Links between density, water absorption, and strength}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/257845214/Kahangi_IMC2026.pdf}},
  doi          = {{10.60628/9783738810400-837}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}