Feasibility Study for Eco-Sustainable Sandstone Masonry as an Alternate to Brick Masonry

Abstract

Masonry began 6000 years ago when early man tried to augment his natural caves with artificial caverns formed of stone heaps. The prevailing geological and economic factors of a specific place have always impacted the choice of building materials. A masonry structure mainly constitutes of stone, brick or a concrete block laid with lime, mud or cement as mortar. In Pakistan masonry construction mainly consists of Bricks & Concrete Blocks contributing a Carbon Footprint of 195g CO2 / kg of brick & 900g CO2 / kg of Cement respectively to the environment. Sandstone is a naturally occurring Sedimentary rock used in construction as bricks & carved art/tools work since pre-historic times. Sandstone, an alternate Sustainable building material may be used for Eco-Friendly Masonry construction in Local and Industrial sectors of Pakistan. Kohat-Potohar province of Upper Indus Basin in Pakistan exhibit significant deposits of Sandstone, for which structural and economic feasibility needs to be investigated for use in masonry construction. The objectives of this research are to Study Sandstone properties as per ASTM standards for replacement of Bricks in masonry structures along with evaluation of compatible mortar for Eco-friendly Sustainable Building Solution. Moreover, to evaluate & suggest most feasible Geological location of Sandstone Quarrying Site in Upper Indus Basin, Pakistan for extraction of Sandstone as Bricks and varied size Blocks along with cost effect. The production of desired size bricks from naturally occurring sandstone is more eco-friendly with negligible carbon footprint as compared to other materials for which more energy is consumed during production.