Development of eco-friendly porous fired clay bricks using pore-forming agents: A review

Today, clay bricks are facing technological challenges and are uncompetitive compared to materials such as concrete. Their performance must be improved if they are to stand up to the competition. Increasing environmental concerns over the accumulation of unmanaged wastes from agricultural or industrial productions have made these good candidates for incorporation into building materials to improve their performance. This process leads to the formation of pores in the bricks, producing lightweight and sustainable building materials. This paper reviews the different pore-forming agents from renewable or mineral resources as described in the literature. It also presents the impact of pore-forming agents on the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of clay bricks. •Traditional clay bricks have limited performances (compared to concrete).•Pore-forming agents (such as wastes) can be incorporated into bricks before firing.•Different pore-forming agents were tested (from renewable or mineral resources).•All the brick's properties are affected by the addition of wastes.•Compromises need to be found between thermal and mechanical performance.