| Abstrakt: |
This study investigates the possible use of phosphogypsum, a substantial byproduct of phosphate fertilizers, as a green building material. With an estimated yearly output of 5 million tons, phosphogypsum poses environmental hazards when discharged as a pollutant. However, inventive ways can offset its negative consequences by reusing waste in a variety of important industries, such as construction as a raw material and soil amendment. The research proposes the reuse of phosphogypsum by producing bricks entirely from phosphogypsum. These bricks, shaped into various hollow forms using plywood molds, were produced by mixing Elguetar phosphogypsum (PG) from Gafsa, Tunisia with water in the appropriate ratio. These non-fired bricks underwent a manufacturing procedure that included drying and compression, yielding different head and bed face orientations for construction. The study evaluated the structural integrity of the bricks using compressive strength calculations and the Von Mises criterion under various loading conditions, with a maximum load of 5 tons. In this context, the Young’s modulus, as determined by lab tests measurements, ranges from about 4000 MPa for square hollow bricks and twice as high for circular hollow bricks. The simulation findings confirmed the occurrence of cracks in broken brick samples during loading, highlighting the need of understanding the material’s behavior under stress. This study encourages sustainable waste management techniques by reusing phosphogypsum in building materials such as unfired bricks, while simultaneously addressing environmental concerns regarding its disposal. |
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