Applications of Compliance to Cost Ratio (C-CR) Analysis in the Determination of Optimum Mix of Insulating Bricks in Masonry

Abstract

The scarcity of housing increases as population continues to rise all over the world. Despite government efforts at providing houses, yearly demand keeps on exceeding available houses and hence the hike in rent, the cost of erecting houses and the cost of building materials. This ultimately calls for a decisive solution. This study therefore applied compliance to cost ratio (C-CR) analysis in evaluating the optimum properties of fired ceramic bricks. The optimum mix proportions of waste glass (WG) and wood saw dust (WSD) in fired bricks, that will be suitable for housing constructions were hence determined. Fired clay brick samples which contained varied proportions of WG and WSD were examined for physical, mechanical and thermal properties in line with standard procedures. The results were compared with existing standards and property evaluation index, compliance level and C-CR were applied in analyzing the results obtained. It was observed that with increasing WG content, compliance level increased. Also, cost ratio and experimental cost of each brick sample trended upward. Sample with mix proportion; 20 wt% WG, 5 wt% WSD and 75 wt% clay had compliance level of 94% and C-CR index of 7.81, hence chosen as optimum mix proportion for masonry bricks.