It’s time to promote eco-friendly bricks in the country: Dr Khan Shahzada
Asif Khan Turk
Prof Dr Khan Shahzada of the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar along with his team has successfully developed economical and eco-friendly bricks in collaboration with SIMBRI Construction Solutions Lahore (SCSL), and now the production of this product under the title ‘SIMBRI Flyash Bricks’ has started in full swing on large scale, attracting people interested in the construction sector.
Dr Khan Shahzada did BSc in Civil Engineering from UET Peshawar in 2003. He completed MSc in 2007 from Japan and PhD from UET Peshawar in 2011 and worked as a visiting scholar for a year at the University of Illinois UIUC USA. He is also actively participating in research activities. So far, he has successfully supervised 80 MSc and 4 PhD students. He has vast experience in research, administration and academics. He has published more than 100 research articles in the field of civil engineering along with two books. He has successfully executed several research projects mostly funded by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, worth around 50 million.
Currently, he is working as Project Coordinator, Dir Campus of UET Peshawar. He has worked as Director of Postgraduate Studies for more than five years at UET Peshawar. He is also working as a member of the Provincial Housing Taskforce on affordable housing of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is a part of the Prime Minister Initiative of 5 million houses.
Through industry-focused research, he has successfully commercialized a construction technique i.e. construction of confined dry stacked block masonry against blast loading, followed by a signing of a commercial license agreement with Eco Enterprises Islamabad through UET Peshawar. Another MoU has been signed with PAVERCRAFT (Private) Limited, which is fabricating pavers, concrete blocks, and bricks. Similarly, an MoU with SIMBRI Construction Solutions Lahore has been signed for the development of new construction materials and the final product has been commercialized with the name SIMBRI Flyash Bricks.
Dr Khan Shahzada spoke to the Sunrise Today here on Friday about the idea, development, commercialization, production, and future of SIMBRI Flyash Bricks in Pakistan. Following is the excerpt from the interview:
Sunrise Today: Please tell us something that how the idea came to you to make such bricks in the country?
Dr Khan Shahzada: Around the world, 15 billion bricks are produced every year of which 90% of production is mostly concentrated in Asian countries. Out of this, 3.5% of the contribution is done by Pakistan. Due to brick production, 20% of global black carbon emission is produced which causes environmental pollution and environmental degradation, and has a harmful effect on human health. Also, precious fertile soil is being used for the production of clay bricks which has the worst effect on the economy as well as agricultural activities. So, to come up with such problems we have to produce a brick masonry which should be eco-friendly, economical, and produce less pollution. Therefore, fly ash brick is the best and most feasible solution. Fly ash is a waste generated from the combustion of coal in power generation plants. It is a pozzolanic material used in the construction industry.
Sunrise Today: Well, then how did you proceed with transforming the concept into a full-fledged commercial product?
Dr Khan Shahzada: The idea was executed by our team at the high-tech, advanced, and state-of-the-art labs of the Department of Civil Engineering and after that, we – the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar signed a commercial licensing agreement with SIMBRI Construction Solutions Lahore (SCSL) for “SIMBRI Flyash Bricks” which is a joint applied research program for the development of sustainable construction materials.
Sunrise Today: What are the salient features of SIMBRI Flyash Bricks?
Dr Khan Shahzada: It is a very important question. It is Pakistan’s first innovative and sustainable construction material manufactured through a collaboration between SCSL and UET Peshawar. These bricks are made by mixing a proper proportion of cement, sand, and fly ash. These bricks are usually lighter in weight having more compressive strength than ordinary bricks. Since ordinary bricks are produced from the top of the fertile soil. So manufacturing fly ash bricks can save the top of the fertile soil up to 28%. Fly ash bricks are eco-friendly as they protect the environment through the conservation of topsoil and the utilization of waste products of coal. Being lighter in weight as compared to conventional bricks, the dead load on the structure is reduced and hence saving the overall cost of construction. Fly ash bricks are made through machines which reduce the number of laborers and make them cost-effective. Also, they are so smooth that no plastering is required.
Sunrise Today: What will be its environmental impact on Pakistan?
Dr Khan Shahzada: So, to reduce the problems related to the environment such as carbon emission, environmental pollution, and human health issues we have to minimize the production of clay bricks by reducing the number of brick kilns. Fly ash brick plants should be installed in the main cities of the country which could help us in solving the economic and pollution problems of Pakistan.
Sunrise Today: Right, how do you see the collaboration of UET Peshawar and SCSL?
Dr Khan Shahzada: The UET Peshawar is a leading engineering university in the province and is doing significant work in the field of civil engineering that leads to sustainable and environmental friendly product development in the construction industry. The UET Peshawar is actively involved in bridging the university with industry through its ORIC office, and carrying out this research for SIMBRI Flyash Bricks is a good example in this context. Similarly, SCSL believes in bringing corporate culture into the construction sector and that is the main purpose of signing this agreement with UET Peshawar which will bring academia and practitioners at one platform in finding research-based solutions to bring innovation and sustainability to the construction industry.
Sunrise Today: You told us about all the essential aspects of SIMBRI Flyash Bricks, what about your partner organization SCSL? Please tell us something about it.
Dr Khan Shahzada: Sure. Actually I met with Syed Salman Al-Husainy, the Chief Operations Officer of SCSL, in 2007-08, in Abbottabad while working on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of buildings in the earthquake-hit area i.e. Kashmir and Hazara division where the bottleneck was quality bricks. We started discussion and collaboration from that time to develop cost-effective and environmentally friendly bricks on large scale and today we are happy to share our success with the people of Pakistan. The SCSL is not just a name but an epitome of sheer persistence, passionate endeavors, and relentless efforts to provide easy and sustainable construction solutions. It takes immense pleasure and pride in serving the nation by being the pioneer of unique products that have the potential to revolutionize the construction industry. It is the first industrial organization in the country that has the credit to produce Pakistan’s first energy saver fly ash bricks – the most innovative and advanced bricks to meet our construction, costing, environmental, and energy issues. More importantly, the range of bricks is made on a specially designed imported plant as per international standards. It is a giant leap forward toward an eco-friendly construction environment in Pakistan which further substantiates our nation’s staunch resolve to cope with the global environmental crisis.
Sunrise Today: What message you would like to convey to the public regarding this new development in the construction sector of Pakistan?
Dr Khan Shahzada: It is to be noted that SIMBRI Flyash Bricks are entirely sustainable, environment-friendly, and low cost as well as beneficial for end users. There is no end to development, that’s why by adding new features and characteristics the product can be improved more and more as per the market needs.
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