Sustainable and Economical Construction Using Fly Ash Interlocking Bricks through Finite Element Simulation

CHAPTER 4
Abstract
The construction industry contributes to economic development but
also causes environmental impacts due to high energy consumption
and resource depletion. Traditional clay brick production requires the
removal of fertile soil and energy-intensive kiln firing, leading to
ecological degradation and carbon emissions. Therefore, sustainable
alternatives are needed for modern construction. This chapter
examines fly ash interlocking bricks as a sustainable masonry
material. Fly ash, a by-product of coal-fired thermal power plants,
has pozzolanic properties suitable for brick manufacturing. Its use
helps reduce industrial waste and conserve natural resources.
Structural performance is evaluated using Finite Element Analysis
(FEA) in ANSYS Workbench. The analysis focuses on compressive
strength, deformation behavior, and stress distribution. Results
indicate compressive strengths of about 8–10 MPa, demonstrating
that fly ash interlocking bricks can serve as an effective and
sustainable construction material.