P062 A Influence of Cocopeat Content on the Mechanical and Physical Properties of Cement Bricks

Abstract

Rapid population growth has accelerated construction activities, resulting in an increased demand for cement bricks and greater consumption of natural resources, particularly sand. This has intensified the need for sustainable alternative materials in brick production. This study investigates the effect of incorporating cocopeat as a partial replacement for sand on the physical and mechanical properties of cement bricks. Cement bricks were produced using a cement-to-sand ratio of 1:3 with cocopeat replacement levels of 0%, 2.5%, 3%, 5%, and 7.5% by weight of sand and were water-cured for 28 days. The bricks were evaluated in terms of compressive strength, bulk density, water absorption, and dimensional stability. The results showed that the control mix achieved the highest compressive strength of 36.9 MPa, while the incorporation of cocopeat reduced the strength to 33.9, 27.3, and 24.9 MPa at replacement levels of 2.5%, 3%, and 5%, respectively. Despite the reduction in strength, the addition of cocopeat significantly decreased the dry bulk density from 2.32 g/cm³ to 1.27 g/cm³ at 7.5% replacement, representing approximately a 45% reduction in brick weight. Water absorption increased from 4.7% for the control mix to 34.7% at 7.5% cocopeat content due to the porous and hygroscopic characteristics of cocopeat. However, replacement levels of 2.5–3% produced water absorption values of 14–15%, satisfying the requirements of the Malaysian Standard while maintaining an acceptable balance between strength, density, and durability. These findings suggest that incorporating 2.5–3% cocopeat as a partial sand replacement is a promising approach for producing lightweight and environmentally sustainable cement bricks without significantly compromising their engineering performance.