Ecological bricks: The revolution in sustainable construction

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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
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.

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.

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