Clay Testing for Brick Production
Clay Testing for Brick Production
(OP)
I would like to produce bricks in small quantities to help contruct buildings in rural areas in Africa. I do not however know much about clay and I have not been able to lay my hands on books on clay.
Does any one know the suitable properties of clay for the purpose of brick production? And if so, could you explain to me how I can test clay to find their suitability for clay production.
I would appreciate to atleast know the various properties of clay and the types of test done to measure the properties.
Many thanks.
Kofai
Does any one know the suitable properties of clay for the purpose of brick production? And if so, could you explain to me how I can test clay to find their suitability for clay production.
I would appreciate to atleast know the various properties of clay and the types of test done to measure the properties.
Many thanks.
Kofai





RE: Clay Testing for Brick Production
A simple field test you could do is to wet some soil and form into a ball, then let it dry out. Clay will become almost as hard as a rock, silt on the other hand will crumble apart relatively easily. Clay with a high percentage of sand will also fall apart relatively easily.
Here are some links using a google search. If you need more, google "mud brick", "making mud bricks", "making adobe bricks", etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe
http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_g/G-521.pdf
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUH92DDrWtk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUH92DDrWtk
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPmNNKAnKPI
ht
I could not find them, but there used to be a group that makes adobe houses in the US. For a nominal fee they would teach others how to make adobe structures. Adobe structure are surprisingly resilient to weather. If you can find them, they may even teach you for nothing if you are doing this for a charitable cause.
Good luck.
RE: Clay Testing for Brick Production