thisplace.com.au - Smart Bricks and the Environment

Two Queensland brothers have invented an environmentally friendly lightweight brick that could change the way the construction industry goes about it's business.

The two brothers took the unwanted by-product of coal burning power stations ( fly ash ) and came up with a way of building houses from it. In a world first they produced a hollow concrete block which is both stronger and lighter than ordinary concrete blocks. This is not the only feature of the block, they can also be drilled, nailed and cut as well as offering better insulation and does not require rendering.

The block is rightly named the Smartblock. The word smart could certainly be applied to the brothers- Jim and Michael Durack who saw the potential for a product that could use some of the millions of tonnes of waste fly ash that is produced around Australia.

Australian power stations currently produce about eight million tonnes of the fine powder a year. Most of this is dumped into open dams. Michael Durack estimates his bricks could use several million tonnes of the waste by substituting it for about 30 per cent of the concrete in conventional bricks. More importantly no strength is lost in the process.

Concrete blocks have been in existence for decades. Both Besser and Hebel blocks have been used for building, however, Besser blocks can only be made from denseweight weighing a whopping 16kg, and Hebel blocks, made from lightweight aerated concrete cannot be produced in hollow form.

At 8kg each, the SmartBlock is half the weight of Besser blocks. This is great news for the blocklayer as he or she is lifting just half of their normal load and it needs no special training to use. Most of those who come in contact with it in the building industry will love it just for saving their backs.

The block looks good, not cheap and delivers a solid stone like finish that can be customised for internal or external use.Coloured blocks are also being made that only need a transparent sealer.

According to Jim Durack the block will be potentially cheaper to use for several reasons, one being because labour will be cheaper and it doesn't need rendering. Also it will be cheaper to transport.

Fly ash from power stations has a unique ability according to the Duracks to mix with concrete to create an unbeatable strength to weight ratio.

So far the bricks have been used to build fences, swimming pool surrounds and a complete house in Warwick.

Source: Kristine Olsson, The Courier-Mail