The present study investigates the possibility of using water treatment
plant (WTP) sludge of New Assiut city (Assiut- Egypt) as partial
substitute for shale in brick making. Due to the high content of organic
matter in water sludge, incineration of the WTP sludge is necessary to
remove of all organic compounds contained therein. For brick making,
mixture of various proportions from 10 % to 50% by weight of sludge
ash added to shale are used as raw materials in hand molding brick
making. The produced brick samples after drying process and firing at
1000 0C for 6 hr,,s , received a series of tests including firing shrinkage ,
weight loss on ignition water, absorption ,bulk density ,compressive
strength , slake durability and efflorescence test. Satisfactory results
were achieved when the percentage of sludge ash was up to 30% (by wt.)
or less in the mixture. The specifications of the produced bricks match
the Egyptian standard ES: 1756/1989 of fired clay building units for non
load bearing walls. The test results indicate that, the sludge ash
proportions are one of the most important key factors determining the
brick quality. Reuse of sludge ash as a construction and building
material converts the waste into useful products that can alleviate the
disposal and environmental problems.