The use of glycerol and cooking oil in masonry unit production

This paper presents an investigation into the development of a novel glycerol-bound masonry unit and the use of a multi-parameter mathematical modelling technique in evaluating the possibility to reduce the amount of sample produced with a comparable result obtained. Initially, an experimental optimisation was carried out to identify the best performance sample in term of compressive strength. The binder used for this stage is the blend of clean cooking oil and pure glycerol incorporating with secondary aggregates include incinerator bottom ash and pulverised fuel ash. Additional samples were made using natural aggregates and waste binders (waste cooking oil and waste glycerol) to evaluate their performance in relation to masonry products found in the UK in terms of compressive strength and water absorption properties. These properties are good indicators of overall performance of masonry units. In addition, modelling techniques were also used to evaluate the laboratory testing strategy to suggest the reduction in number of samples being produced in future experimental studies. Results from the study demonstrated that the novel masonry units could be produced with properties that were at least equivalent to those of currently used in the UK and modelling technique could reduce up to 90% of sample for the problem with three parameters.