Advances in Sustainable Masonry Bricks and Blocks : Design Optimization, Bio-based Materials Incorporation, and Industrial Waste Valorization

Advances in Sustainable Masonry Bricks and Blocks: Design Optimization, Bio-based Material Incorporation, and Industrial Waste Valorization is a comprehensive reference resource that addresses the latest advancements and innovations in this field. This book explores novel sustainable masonry innovations in design optimization, bio-based materials, and industrial waste valorization. Part I investigates novel structural strategies―topological interlocking blocks modeled and fabricated in UHPC with an MCDM framework for reusability, a PRISMA-guided review of hygrothermal performance in insulated composite masonry, and a self-sensing brick system enabling continuous structural health monitoring. Part II delves into bio-reinforcements: Juncus-fiber–stabilized compressed earth blocks, fiber-reinforced soil units, glycoprotein stabilizers inspired by termite mounds, lime-hemp and sugarcane bagasse insulation for CEB walls, waste-glass–infused clay bricks, and rice-husk-ash geopolymer blocks. Part III valorizes community and industrial by-products―paper, plastics, bagasse ash, marble and stone dust, coal ash―into fired and unfired masonry, and applies geopolymers to stabilize earth materials. Across experimental research, systematic reviews, full-scale testing, and case studies, it advances durable, high-performance bricks and blocks with reduced environmental impact.

• Addresses the latest research findings and practical applications related to sustainable masonry materials
• Introduces cutting-edge approaches such as topological interlocking blocks, self-sensing masonry elements, bio-inspired stabilizers, and geopolymer-enhanced composites.
• Combines experimental research, systematic literature reviews, multi-criteria decision-making models, full-scale hygrothermal testing, and case studies to evaluate performance, durability, environmental impact, and reusability.

Fernando Pacheco Torgal is a Principal Investigator at C-TAC, University of Minho. He holds the title of Counsellor (Top 0.5%) from the Portuguese Engineers Association and has been consistently recognized as a Scopus Highly Cited Scientist in the global rankings by Stanford University. With over 300 publications to his name, he has carried out in-depth peer reviews of more than one thousand scientific papers and assessed nearly one hundred research grant proposals across 15 countries. He serves on the editorial boards of nine international journals and has been involved in editorial decisions for several hundred manuscripts. In addition, he has edited 33 international books, many of which are available in the libraries of prestigious institutions such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford.

Professor Prinya Chindaprasirt is the Director of the Sustainable Infrastructure Research and Development Center (SIRDC), a research unit in Khon Kaen University. He is now also the head of Advanced Functional Materials research cluster of Khon Kaen University. He was appointed a full professor in 2007. In 2009 he was the first person in civil engineering who was appointed the highest rank professor in Thailand. He has set up the Thai Geopolymer Network in 2005 to promote the research and collaboration among Thai researchers in this field.