Influence of unconventional additives on the physical and mechanical properties of eco-bricks: a systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37787/njrh0z95Keywords:
Ladrillos ecológicos, aditivos no convencionales, residuos reciclados, resistencia a compresión y cenizas agroindustrialesAbstract
This paper reviewed studies on the use of waste materials like plastics, rubber, plant fibers, and ashes to improve eco-friendly bricks. It was found that these materials do provide benefits, such as making the bricks stronger, lighter, or more durable. However, when used in excess or without proper control, they can negatively affect the quality of the blocks. Another issue is that many studies apply different methods, which makes it hard to compare results. Even so, some combinations worked really well, like mixing coconut fiber with its own ash. The conclusion is that there’s good potential in reusing these types of waste, especially if they’re handled properly and more research is done to figure out the best way to apply them.
References
Abdullah, A. C., & Lee, C. C. (2017). Effect of Treatments on Properties of Cement-fiber Bricks Utilizing Rice Husk, Corncob and Coconut Coir. Procedia Engineering, 180, 1266–1273. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PROENG.2017.04.288
Acamma, S., & Baisakhi D. (2023). Bricks Made Out of Plastic. www.ijfmr.com
Ahmad, J., Majdi, A., Al-Fakih, A., Deifalla, A. F., Althoey, F., El Ouni, M. H., & El-Shorbagy, M. A. (2022). Mechanical and Durability Performance of Coconut Fiber Reinforced Concrete: A State-of-the-Art Review. Materials 2022, Vol. 15, Page 3601, 15(10), 3601. https://doi.org/10.3390/MA15103601
Amjad, M. S., & Diaz-Elsayed, N. (2024). Evaluating the environmental impacts of brick production from waste plastic. Manufacturing Letters, 41, 1683–1695. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mfglet.2024.09.196
Ashraf, N., El-Monayeri, O. D., & Hassan, H. A. (2024). Lego-like Bricks Manufacturing Using Recycled Polyethylene (PE) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Waste in Egypt. Sustainability 2024, Vol. 16, Page 8567, 16(19), 8567. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU16198567
Biradar, S. V., Srujan Kumar, A., Vijaya Gowri, T., & Alisha, S. S. (2024). Comparative Study on Properties of Plastic Bricks with Conventional Bricks. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2779(1), 012088. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2779/1/012088
Cirino, E., Curtis, S., Wallis, J., Thys, T., Brown, J., Rolsky, C., & Erdle, L. M. (2023). Assessing benefits and risks of incorporating plastic waste in construction materials. Frontiers in Built Environment, 9, 1206474. https://doi.org/10.3389/FBUIL.2023.1206474/BIBTEX
Cumpa, O. O., Lizarzaburu, D., D, J., & Benittes, E. (2023). Recycling of Rubber and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) to Produce Ecological Bricks in Perù. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 101, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3303/CET23101034
Ereño, J., Cayanan, J. E., Santiago, N., Javier, V. D., Somera, K. A., & Tan, J. (2025). Eco Bricks and Sustainability: A Scientific Perspective on Waste-Based Materials. https://doi.org/10.20944/PREPRINTS202505.0810.V1
Ferreira, G. M. G., Cecchin, D., Valadão, I. C. R. P., da Silva, T. R., do Carmo, D. de F., Moll Hüther, C., Ferreira, F., & de Azevedo, A. R. G. (2022). Evaluation of the Technological Properties of Soil–Cement Bricks with Incorporation of Coconut Fiber Powder. Eng 2022, Vol. 3, Pages 311-324, 3(3), 311–324. https://doi.org/10.3390/ENG3030023
Gagan, D, N., A, A. J. S., & J, T. (2023). Experimental Investigation on Brick with the Partial Replacement of Coconut Fibre. International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology, 11(6), 2773–2778. https://doi.org/10.22214/IJRASET.2023.54142
Garcia-Troncoso, N., Acosta-Calderon, S., Flores-Rada, J., Baykara, H., Cornejo, M. H., Riofrio, A., & Vargas-Moreno, K. (2022). Effects of Recycled Rubber Particles Incorporated as Partial Sand Replacement on Fresh and Hardened Properties of Cement-Based Concrete: Mechanical, Microstructural and Life Cycle Analyses. Materials 2023, Vol. 16, Page 63, 16(1), 63. https://doi.org/10.3390/MA16010063
Hasan, K. M. F., Eter, P. ´, Gy¨, G., Horváth, G., Horváth, H., Os Bak, M., Alpár, T., & Alpár, A. (2021). A state-of-the-art review on coir fiber-reinforced biocomposites. RSC Advances, 11(18), 10548–10571. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1RA00231G
Helmy, S. H., Tahwia, A. M., Mahdy, M. G., Abd Elrahman, M., Abed, M. A., & Youssf, O. (2023). The Use of Recycled Tire Rubber, Crushed Glass, and Crushed Clay Brick in Lightweight Concrete Production: A Review. Sustainability 2023, Vol. 15, Page 10060, 15(13), 10060. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU151310060
Jaramillo, H. Y., Vasco-Echeverri, O., López-Barrios, R., & García-León, R. A. (2025). Optimization of Bio-Brick Composition Using Agricultural Waste: Mechanical Properties and Sustainable Applications. Sustainability 2025, Vol. 17, Page 1914, 17(5), 1914. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU17051914
Jha, A. K., & Kewate, S. P. (2024). Manufacturing of Eco Bricks: A Sustainable Solution for Construction. 28. https://doi.org/10.3390/ENGPROC2024066028
Kallou, A., Debieb, F., & Kenai, S. (2025). Performance of compressed earth blocks reinforced with natural fibres. Budownictwo i Architektura, 24(1), 25–49. https://doi.org/10.35784/bud-arch.6179
KARSLIOĞLU, A., & Balaban, E. (2021). Insulation Properties of Bricks with Waste Rubber and Plastic: A Review. Journal of Nature, Science & Technology, 1(1), 20–27. https://doi.org/10.36937/janset.2021.001.004
Kasie, Y. M., & Mogne, A. Y. (2025). Improvement of mechanical properties of adobe brick reinforced with sisal fiber. Discover Materials, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00245-3
Khrissi, Y., & Tilioua, A. (2025). Development and characterization of eco-friendly earth bricks stabilized with date palm waste fibers for sustainable construction. Cleaner Waste Systems, 11(January), 100283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clwas.2025.100283
Kulkarni, P., Ravekar, V., Rama Rao, P., Waigokar, S., & Hingankar, S. (2022). Recycling of waste HDPE and PP plastic in preparation of plastic brick and its mechanical properties. Cleaner Materials, 5(April), 100113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clema.2022.100113
Kumar, N., Mehta, V., Kumar, S., Singh, J. P., Kumar, R., Sharma, S., Dwivedi, S. P., Kozak, D., Lozanovic, J., & Abbas, M. (2024). An investigation of various properties of hybrid bricks using Natural fibers and waste fiber-based materials. Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, 19. https://doi.org/10.1177/15589250241240073
Li, Y. (2022). Research on Properties of Ecobricks and its Possible Applications. Highlights in Science, Engineering and Technology, 28, 107–114. https://doi.org/10.54097/HSET.V28I.4095
Liu, H. D., & Fan, L. (2024). Optimization and mechanism analysis of a compound additive for unfired bricks made of construction and demolition wastes. Frontiers in Materials, 11, 1308884. https://doi.org/10.3389/FMATS.2024.1308884/BIBTEX
Malayali, A. B., R, V., Seikh, A. H., & Iqbal, A. (2024). Investigation and performance analysis of eco-friendly coco fiber concrete hybridized with CNT blend. Heliyon, 10(12), e33031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33031
Manniello, C., Cillis, G., Statuto, D., Di Pasquale, A., & Picuno, P. (2022). Concrete Blocks Reinforced with Arundo donax Natural Fibers with Different Aspect Ratios for Application in Bioarchitecture. Applied Sciences 2022, Vol. 12, Page 2167, 12(4), 2167. https://doi.org/10.3390/APP12042167
Martinelli, F. R. B., Ribeiro, F. R. C., Marvila, M. T., Monteiro, S. N., Filho, F. da C. G., & Azevedo, A. R. G. de. (2023). A Review of the Use of Coconut Fiber in Cement Composites. Polymers 2023, Vol. 15, Page 1309, 15(5), 1309. https://doi.org/10.3390/POLYM15051309
Moujoud, Z., Harrati, A., Manni, A., Naim, A., El Bouari, A., & Tanane, O. (2023). Study of fired clay bricks with coconut shell waste as a renewable pore-forming agent: Technological, mechanical, and thermal properties. Journal of Building Engineering, 68(December). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.106107
Nguyen, D. N., Le, T. T. T., Ngo, S. H., & Nguyen, V. D. (2025). Effect of Coconut Fiber Content on the Properties of Unfired Building Bricks Incorporating Thermal Power Plant Ashes. Periodica Polytechnica Civil Engineering, 69(2), 599–610. https://doi.org/10.3311/PPCI.38299
Rajapakse, A. M., Mudunkotuwa, D. Y., Sanjula, S. N., Nishantha, K., & Bandara, T. R. (2022). Cement and Clay Bricks Reinforced with Coconut Fiber and Fiber Dust. Advances in Technology, 2022(3), 233–248. https://doi.org/10.31357/AIT.V2I3.5534
Ramesh Kumar, G. B., & Kesavan, V. (2020). Study of structural properties evaluation on coconut fiber ash mixed concrete. Materials Today: Proceedings, 22, 811–816. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATPR.2019.10.158
Rauniyar, A., Nakrani, R. K., Narpala, S. R., Nehaun, & Arun, S. (2024). An evaluation of the use of plastic waste in the manufacture of plastic bricks. Discover Civil Engineering, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-024-00045-3
Raut, A., Bhasker, T., Bhasker, S., Sreelatha, D., Ibrahim, S. M., & Thriveni, R. (2018). Experimental investigation on geopolymer brick by using fly ash and quarry dust. International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology, 4(2), 1810–1817.
Sahani, K., Joshi, B. R., Khatri, K., Magar, A. T., Chapagain, S., & Karmacharya, N. (2022). Mechanical Properties of Plastic Sand Brick Containing Plastic Waste. Advances in Civil Engineering, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8305670
Sankar, A., Srinivasarao, S. V., Sivasankaran, S., Basha, A. F. K., & Ismail, Z. (2023). Survey on Applications of Coconut Timber, Shell and Coir in Construction Industry. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2643(1). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0110298/2872886
Saravanan, J., & Rao, P. V. (2023). Past investigations on development of sustainable bricks – A comprehensive review. Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment, 3, 100030. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SCENV.2023.100030
Singh, A., Srivastava, A. K., Singh, G., Singh, A. D., Singh, H. K., Kumar, A., & Singh, G. K. (2023). Utilization of Plastic Waste for Developing Composite Bricks and Enhancing Mechanical Properties: A Review on Challenges and Opportunities. Advances in Polymer Technology, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6867755
Suganya, S., Alan, S., Professor, A., Student, P., & Student, U. (2016). A Study on Mechanical Properties of fly ash Brick with Waste Plastic Strips. International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, 10(53). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313030157
Surehali, S., Singh, A., & Biligiri, K. P. (2023). A state-of-the-art review on recycling rubber in concrete: Sustainability aspects, specialty mixtures, and treatment methods. Developments in the Built Environment, 14, 100171. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.DIBE.2023.100171
Tambunan, L., Mufrida, C., & Larasati, D. (2024). Study of mechanical properties of multilayer composite plastic blocks with various materials. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 23(4), 1329–1338. https://doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2023.2265139
Thanushan, K., & Navaratnarajah, S. (2020). A Comparative Study on the Influence of Banana and Coconut Fibre on Stabilized Soil Blocks. https://doi.org/10.21203/RS.3.RS-122119/V1
Vagestan, P. K., Periyasamy, M., Pathikonda, P., Kiran, U., Yadav, S. P., Zahid, M., & Avula, D. (2024). Enhancing the strength properties of concrete using coconut fiber and coconut fiber ash. AIP Conference Proceedings, 3037(1). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0196073/3280487
Velasco-Aquino, A. A., Espuna-Mujica, J. A., Perez-Sanchez, J. F., Zuñiga-Leal, C., Palacio-Perez, A., & Suarez-Dominguez, E. J. (2020). Compressed earth block reinforced with coconut fibers and stabilized with aloe vera and lime. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 19(3), 795–807. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-02-2020-0055
Wang, Y., & Abuel-Naga, H. (2025). Unfired Bricks from Wastes: A Review of Stabiliser Technologies, Performance Metrics, and Circular Economy Pathways. Buildings, 15(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/BUILDINGS15111861
Published
Data Availability Statement
Los datos utilizados en este presente articulo de revisión no están disponibles públicamente debido restricciones institucionales. Pero se podría manejar este apartado con nosotros los autores en coordinación.
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Pakamuros Scientific Journal

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.








