Brick aggregate concrete is concrete in which crushed brick pieces partially or fully replace conventional stone aggregate. Known as “brikkenbeton” in Dutch, it has been used since antiquity and is experiencing renewed interest as a sustainable way to recycle demolition waste.
Composition
A typical brick aggregate concrete mix contains:
- Crusite or crushed brick — broken brick graded to sizes similar to conventional coarse aggregate, typically 4 to 20 mm
- Cement — ordinary Portland cement or blended cements
- Sand — natural or crusher sand as the fine aggregate
- Water — adjusted for the higher absorption rate of brick particles
- Admixtures — plasticisers or water reducers may be added to compensate for increased water demand
Properties
Brick aggregate concrete behaves differently from conventional stone aggregate concrete:
- Lower density — crushed brick is lighter than natural gravel or crusite stone, producing a lighter mix
- Higher water absorption — brick particles absorb more water, requiring careful mix design and pre-wetting
- Good thermal insulation — the porous structure of brick aggregate improves the insulating value of the finished concrete
- Reduced compressive strength — typically 15 to 30 percent lower than equivalent stone aggregate mixes at the same cement content
- Improved fire resistance — brick aggregate performs well at elevated temperatures, retaining strength longer than some natural aggregates
Application
Brick aggregate concrete is used for non-structural and lightly loaded structural elements such as partition walls, floor screeds, infill panels, and foundation blinding. It is particularly valuable on demolition and renovation sites where large quantities of waste brick are available, reducing both disposal costs and the need for imported aggregate. In heritage construction it is used to produce mortars and concretes that are compatible with historic brickwork.
Related Terms
- Recycled aggregate
- Lightweight concrete
- Demolition waste
- Concrete mix design
- Sustainable construction
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