*2.1.2 Preparation of brick samples*

In present study standard sized brick (230 × 115 × 75 mm) were made by hand pressing in Mardini press as shown in **Figure 4**. The brick were cured at room temperature conditions for a period of 7, 14, and 28d. The variation of IOT was between 30 and 50% in increments of 5%. While the amount of lime was kept fixed at 5% and sodium silicate concentration was fixed at 20%. The addition of GGBS was proportionately decreased from 45 to 25% such that the total of IOT and GGBS for each composition was 75%. **Table 3** presents the details of mix specification. The schematic representation of brick making is shown in **Figure 5**.

#### **2.2 Results and discussion**

All the tests on the bricks were performed as per the IS:3495 standard. The maximum stress in the brick specimens were calculated by determining the maximum load at failure to the area of the bed surface of the bricks. Load was

**61**

**Figure 6.**

*Compressive strength test setup.*

*Utilization of Iron Ore Mines Waste as Civil Construction Material through Geopolymer Reactions*

B1 30 45 20 5 B2 35 40 20 5 B3 40 35 20 5 B4 45 30 20 5 B5 50 25 20 5

**Mix designation Quantity (%)**

per minute till failure. **Figure 6**

**IOT GGBS Na2SiO3 Lime**

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81709*

**Table 3.**

**Figure 5.**

*Details of mix specifications.*

applied axially at a uniform rate of 14 N/mm<sup>2</sup>

*Schematic representation of brick making.*

shows the setup for compressive strength test. The results of the strength test are shown in **Figure 7**. Water absorption data is obtained by immersion of brick specimen in water for 24 h at room temperature, followed by drying of bricks in oven at 110°C. The water absorption is determined by obtaining the difference in weights of bricks before and after drying, to its dry weight in percentage. As per the IS: 3495 good quality bricks should not absorb more than 20% water by its weight. From the results of strength, density, and water absorption, it is seen that there is an increase in strength and density with increase in IOT (as observed in **Figures 7** and **8**). Similar trends in increase of water absorption and compressive strength for IOT bricks with increased IOT content were reported in past studies. Increase in water absorption as observed in **Table 4** can be attributed to the higher absorbing capacity of the tailing waste. The water absorption for IOT bricks

**Figure 4.** *Mardini block making machine.*

*Utilization of Iron Ore Mines Waste as Civil Construction Material through Geopolymer Reactions DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81709*


#### **Table 3.**

*Geopolymers and Other Geosynthetics*

*2.1.2 Preparation of brick samples*

**Figure 3.**

*XRD pattern of GGBS.*

**2.2 Results and discussion**

In present study standard sized brick (230 × 115 × 75 mm) were made by hand pressing in Mardini press as shown in **Figure 4**. The brick were cured at room temperature conditions for a period of 7, 14, and 28d. The variation of IOT was between 30 and 50% in increments of 5%. While the amount of lime was kept fixed at 5% and sodium silicate concentration was fixed at 20%. The addition of GGBS was proportionately decreased from 45 to 25% such that the total of IOT and GGBS for each composition was 75%. **Table 3** presents the details of mix specification. The

All the tests on the bricks were performed as per the IS:3495 standard. The maximum stress in the brick specimens were calculated by determining the maximum load at failure to the area of the bed surface of the bricks. Load was

schematic representation of brick making is shown in **Figure 5**.

**60**

**Figure 4.**

*Mardini block making machine.*

*Details of mix specifications.*

**Figure 5.** *Schematic representation of brick making.*

applied axially at a uniform rate of 14 N/mm<sup>2</sup> per minute till failure. **Figure 6** shows the setup for compressive strength test. The results of the strength test are shown in **Figure 7**. Water absorption data is obtained by immersion of brick specimen in water for 24 h at room temperature, followed by drying of bricks in oven at 110°C. The water absorption is determined by obtaining the difference in weights of bricks before and after drying, to its dry weight in percentage. As per the IS: 3495 good quality bricks should not absorb more than 20% water by its weight. From the results of strength, density, and water absorption, it is seen that there is an increase in strength and density with increase in IOT (as observed in **Figures 7** and **8**). Similar trends in increase of water absorption and compressive strength for IOT bricks with increased IOT content were reported in past studies. Increase in water absorption as observed in **Table 4** can be attributed to the higher absorbing capacity of the tailing waste. The water absorption for IOT bricks

**Figure 6.** *Compressive strength test setup.*

#### **Figure 7.**

*Compressive strength of bricks at different curing period.*
