The construction sector is responsible for around one third of global energy consumption and CO2 emissions. As concerns grow over sustainability and environmental impact, unfired clay bricks present a promising solution since they require no energy in their production process while also having a low thermal conductivity. With coffee being one of the most consumed beverages globally, around 6 million tons of Spent Coffee Grounds (SCG) are generated annually. Usually, SCG is either incinerated or stored in landfills which results in the production of polyphenol and tannin that are very harmful to the environment. Using SCG as an additive in unfired clay bricks will help in the reduction of SCG waste, however, SCG is known for its hygroscopic nature which might affect the thermal properties and water absorption capacity of the bricks. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of using SCG as an additive in unfired clay bricks by analyzing its effect on thermal conductivity, density, and capillary water absorption coefficient of the samples. Seven samples were prepared with SCG content of 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, and 3% by weight. The results show that SCG initially improves the studied properties of the bricks, however, above the 2 wt.% threshold of SCG, a drastic deterioration was noticed.

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