A study on the utilization of municipal solid waste incineration ash as an additional raw material in interlocking blocks

Abstract

This study aims to explore the utilization of municipal solid waste incineration ash, which has been increasingly generated and poses storage challenges, as a partial replacement for aggregates in the production of interlocking blocks. The research focuses on evaluating the physical and mechanical properties, including compressive strength, unit weight, and water absorption. Specimens were prepared with cement-to-lateritic soil ratios of 1:6, 1:7, and 1:8, incorporating ash at replacement levels of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% by weight. All samples were cured for 7, 14, and 28 days and tested according to the Thai Community Product Standard (TCPS 602/2547). The results revealed that increasing ash content reduced the unit weight of the blocks due to its lower density, while water absorption tended to increase as a result of higher internal porosity. Notably, at a cement-to-soil ratio of 1:6 with 10% ash and 28-day curing, the compressive strength reached 70.2 kg/cm² and water absorption was 104 kg/m³, meeting the requirements for load-bearing interlocking blocks. These findings indicate that controlled incorporation of incineration ash can produce blocks that comply with national standards while reducing the use of conventional materials. This approach not only lowers production costs and enhances the value of waste materials but also provides a sustainable solution for mitigating environmental impacts associated with ash disposal in communities.