Abstract:
Bricks have been in use in construction for thousands of years. They offer a great deal in terms
of compressive strength, sound insulation and fire resistance. The material required is not only
readily available but cheap as well. However, their use does pose certain threats and dangers to
the living beings and the environment. They behave poorly in case of earthquake activity, weak
in tension and shear. They pose great threat to the environment because their production is
carried out in the kilns which are one of the biggest culprits of the environmental pollution. For
this purpose, we have come up with interlocking bricks. They make use of the earth materials
and are compressed instead of being burnt. The modified shape would allow for the interlock to
happen which would enhance the shear performance of the bricks in case of an earthquake
activity. The interlocking procedure would decrease substantial amount of mortar and/or plaster
used in the walls. Since the bricks don’t make use of the brick kiln for its production, it is
environment friendly. This study will identify and quantify the benefits offered due to the
modified shape and composition of the brick. The main idea is to produce a brick which
enhances the shear performance, reduces the environmental hazards without compromising the
benefits offered by the conventional masonry.
