Experimental and Numerical Study of Mechanical Behaviour of Fired Clay Bricks after Exposure to High Temperatures

This paper reports the modeling of residual compressive strength of fired clay bricks submitted to elevated temperature. Five formulations were used and the explored temperatures were 95˚C, 200˚C, 550˚C, 700˚C and 950˚C. The stress–strain relationships and the mechanical properties (including Young’s modulus and compressive strength) were assessed using a uniaxial compressive strength machine. A proposed model equation was established and found satisfying. The elastic modulus was evaluated and tested with one existing model together with two proposed models. The proposed model was both satisfying and even more precise than the existing one. The overall results show that the effect of temperature on the mechanical properties of clays can be accurately described through the definition of thermal damage using elastic modulus.

Thermal and Mechanical Characterization of Compressed Clay Bricks Reinforced by Rice Husks for Optimizing Building in Sahelian Zone

This article deals with the characterization of local materials used in insulation building heat. These materials are bricks of earth compressed and stabilized with rice husks. Thermal conductivity, the specific heat and the thermal diffusivity of materials based on clay incorporating rate of 0, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% are determined. The results showed that the clay blocks + rice balls had better thermal insulators than simple clay blocks. However, these composite materials used for the envelope of the building must have sufficient mechanical resistance when used in construction. The measurement of mechanical properties such as compressive strength showed an improvement of 6% and beyond, a drop in resistance when increasing rice husks in clay is observed. These results allow to specify the optimal conditions of use of these materials for the building envelope.

Blast response of clay brick masonry unit walls unreinforced and reinforced with polyurea elastomer

Clay brick masonry unit(CBMU) walls are widely used in building structures,and its damage and protection under explosion loads have been a matter of concern in the field of engineering protection.In this paper,a series of full-scale experiments of the response characteristics of 24 cm CMBU walls unreinforced and reinforced with polyurea elastomer subjected to blast loading were carried out.Through setting 5.0 kg TNT charges at different stand-off distances,the damage characteristics of masonry walls at different scaled distances were obtained.The reinforcement effect of different polyurea coating thicknesses and methods on the blast resistance performance of masonry walls under single and repeated loads were also explored.Five failure grades were summarized according to the dynamic response features of masonry walls.Based on the stress wave propagation pattern in multi-media composite structures,the internal stress distribution of masonry walls were analyzed,and the division basis of the masonry walls’ failure grades was then quantified.Combined with Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM)images,the deformation characteristics of soft and hard segments of polyurea and effects of detonation products on microstructures were revealed respectively,which provides an important reference for the design and application of polyurea in the blast resistance of clay brick masonry walls.

Industrial Potentiality of Alluvial Clays Deposits from Cameroon: Influence of Lateritic Clayey Admixture for Fired Bricks Production

The cartography and characterization of an alluvial clay deposit from Ebebda (Central region of Cameroon) were carried out in order to assess its suitability for the production of fired clay bricks. The clayey area investigated is ~ 50,000 m2 with an average thickness of the exploitable layer of 2.2 m, suggesting a deposit of about ~2.2 × 105 tonnes of clay. Mineralogy, physico-chemical and thermal analyses as well as firing properties were performed on representative clay samples. Kaolinite and quartz are the major minerals associated to illite. Upon heating to 900℃ - 1200℃, the linear shrinkage varies from 1.5% to 15%, the water absorption from 1.5% to 24% and the bending strength from 2 to 12 MPa. The admixture of lateritic clays (widely available) at 50%, 60%, 70% and 80% allow to decrease the shrinkage and bending strength, and to increase the water absorption. Overall, properties were satisfying the requirement for fired brick with 70% of laterite in the mixture.

Suitability of Foumban Clays (West Cameroon) for Production of Bricks and Tiles

Particle size analysis, Atterberg limits, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and firing tests were used to determine physico-chemical, mineralogical and technological characteristics of residual lateritic (K1M, Ma2) and alluvial (KB3, KG3) clays from Foumban (West-Cameroon). For technological properties, the samples were pressed and fired over a temperature range of 900&degC - 1200&degC to determine the open porosity, linear shrinkage, bulk density and compressive strength. Kaolinite (31% - 65%) and quartz (35% - 50%) are dominant in Foumban clays with accessory K-feldspar, plagioclase, illite, smectite, rutile, and goethite. But their proportion changes from one sample to another, having a significant effect on the behaviour of the clay materials: highest proportion of quartz (50%) in sample K1M;relative high feldspars (20%) and illite contents (10%) in KB3 and MA2;high smectite content in KG3 (up to 20%). Chemical analyses indicate high SiO2 (49% - 77%) and low Al2O3 (14% - 23%) contents in the four samples, with comparatively low contents of iron oxides (4% - 7% in samples KB3 and KG3, 2.5% in MA2 and ~1.5% in sample K1M). The particle size distribution of the alluvial clays (KG3 and KB3) differs considerably: 7% to 37% of clay fraction, 20% to 78% of silt, and 15% to 58% of sand, while residual clays (K1M and MA2) present on average 12% of clay, 51% of silt and 37% of sand. Two raw clays (KB3 and MA2) can be used for bricks/tiles production without beneficiation or addition. K1M requires some flux addition to decrease the sintering temperature while KG3 presents poor properties due to the combined occurrence of smectite and a high clayey fraction (37%). Such mineralogical composition is responsible for very high plasticity (PI: 50), high shrinkage (LS: 5% - 16%), low porosity (OP: up to 21%) and high flexural strength (FS: 16 - 23 N/mm2) above 1050&degC. This last clay is therefore less appropriate for bricks and roofing tiles production since degreasers must be added to the raw material.

Effect of Incorporation of Chips and Wood Dust Mahogany on Mechanical and Acoustic Behavior of Brick Clay

An experimental study was carried out on bricks using local materials in order to take into account the waste wood management to protect the environment and to reduce the cost of the habitat. Chips and sawdust were built-in clay bricks in order to study their influence on the compressive strength, Young’s modulus and the speed for soundproofing. Testings in compressive strength were made on the parallelepiped clay bricks, stabilized with different percentages of cement, with incorporation to various percentages of sawdust or wood chips (Mahogany), using a universal press. Young’s modulus was measured from the speed of sound by the ultrasonic method. The results obtained show that the incorporation of mahogany tree chips in the stabilized brick at 8% of cement, does not have much effect on the compressive strength. It was found that the incorporation of chips or sawdust on the clay brick, does not improve the compressive strength. The Young’s modulus decreases with increasing content of sawdust and practically remains constant regardless of the content of chips at 4% and 6% of cement. The clay brick mixed with 8% of mahogany sawdust can be an acoustic barrier.

Thermomechanical Characterisation of Compressed Clay Bricks Reinforced by Thatch Fibres for the Optimal Use in Building

Thatch fibres grow in large quantity in the Adamawa region of Cameroon. During the long dry season, these fibres cause numerous fire incidents, which not only devastate large areas of cash crops, but also contribute to increase emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This article aims to show how fibres could be used with compressed clay bricks to manufacture an insulating material used in building. Four fibre contents 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% made up the sample studied. The asymmetric hot plate methodology was used to determine the thermophysical properties of these composite materials. The volumetric heat capacity and the thermal effusivity of these materials were estimated. These two parametres were used to determine their apparent thermal conductivities. The results obtained show that the thermal conductivity decreases as the volume of fibres in the mixture increases. It is 0.689 W·m-1·K-1 for simple compressed clay bricks and 0.510 W·m-1·K-1 for a dosage at 3% of thatch fibres. In a bit to validate the results of the pilot study of the apparent thermal conductivity, the heat mass capacity of this composite material was achieved through the use of the dehydration method. The relative difference obtained with the results of the volumetric heat capacity carried out with these two methods was good. All results showed that the use of fibres in compressed laterite brick gives a more insulating composite material that respects Civil Engineering Norms.

Characterization of Fired Clay Bricks for an Economic Contribution of the Exploitation of Thicky Clay Deposit

Clay materials from Thicky in Thiès district (Senegal) are very abundant and could be used for the production of clay brick for the construction industry in Senegal and the surrounding countries. The geophysical, geotechnical, and thermal studies carried out did lead to a better comprehension of the potential of the area for clay production. It also allowed determining the physical and chemical characteristics of the clays for their use in order to make fired clay bricks. Different types of fired clay brick were produced with Thicky’s clays. The study of the physical, mechanical and thermal parameters of these raw materials and bricks has given very satisfactory results compared to the standards in use. It is noted a good ceramic behavior, and there is no deterioration observed after firing at 900°C until low residual moisture of about 3% (on a dry basis), a smooth texture with a beautiful appearance, a low loss on ignition, a low shrinkage value of less than 1% (dry), moderate water absorption and also good compressive strength. The study of thermal properties on a brick wall by the asymmetric lime plane method gives satisfactory effusivity and thermal conductivity values which are respectively equal to 746.48 J·K-1·m-2·s-1/2 and 0.42 W·m-1·k-1 with a thermal resistance of 0.0028 m2·K·W-1.

Evaluation of the Compressive Strength of Hybrid Clay Bricks

This work has presented the evaluation of the compressive strength of hybrid clay bricks from interlocking brick making machine. The mixture of clay and cement at varying proportions was loaded into the mould compartment, mechanically rammed and hydraulically controlled. The raw clay was sourced from Ilesa and Akure in the south-western part of Nigeria. The results showed that when the cement content was 6%, the highest compressive load and energy at break were obtained in hybrid bricks from both Ilesa and Akure samples. However, the optimum service performance under compressive loading was attained at 6% cement in Ilesa hybrid bricks. Ilesa hybrid bricks possess better reliability and workability under loading than the Akure bricks.

Properties of Geopolymers Made from Fired Clay Bricks Wastes and Rice Husk Ash (RHA)-Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Activator

High cost has been pointed among factors that limit the promotion of geopolymers. To contribute to the reduction of the use of costly industrial sodium silicate in activators for geopolymers, a gel obtained with RHA and concentrated sodium hydroxide was used in the present study to develop an alkaline activator with 8 M NaOH and to produce geopolymers with crushed fired clay bricks wastes (FCBW). Characteristics of the gel were compared to that of commercial sodium silicate which was also mixed with 8 M NaOH in the ratio 1:1 to produce geopolymers. Chemical and mineralogical analyses were done on raw materials. Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was done on the gel, commercial sodium silicate and products. Biaxial four point flexural strength, bulk density, water absorption and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests were also done on products. Results showed that RHA-NaOH alkaline activator has good potential in consolidating FCBW powder through geopolymerization process which gave products that had characteristics not far from that when the commercial sodium silicate was used. The gel obtained by mixing RHA and NaOH can contribute to the reduction of the use of costly commercial sodium silicate in the production process of geopolymers. However, appropriate filtration process is needed for the RHA-NaOH gel to reduce its impurities as undissolved entities, which will consequently contribute to improve the flexural strength, the density and the microstructure of its products which were low compared to when commercial sodium silicate was used.

Physico-Mechanical Characterization of Clay and Laterite Bricks Stabilized or Not with Cement

This study focuses on the valuation and optimization of local materials to meet the challenge of sustainable development. Faced with climate change and the preservation of the environment, research into eco-materials is necessary to reduce the energy bill while ensuring comfort and safety. The objective is to make a comparative characterization of the physico-mechanical properties of compressed earth bricks made from local materials: clay, laterite and sand. These are, on the one hand, bricks made from clay and laterite, reinforced with a percentage of sand varying between 20% and 30% in steps of 5%., were made. On the other hand, these same mixtures stabilized with 5% cement (CEM II-32.5) are also used to produce bricks. A characterization of the raw materials was made before studying the physico-mechanical properties of the bricks themselves. This involved evaluating the water absorbency and compressive strength of stabilized and unstabilized bricks. The results show that the absorptivity of stabilized clay bricks is acceptable up to 25% sand because it is less than the 15% maximum value set by Cameroonian standard NC-104: 2002-06. However, that of stabilized laterite bricks is higher than the maximum value set by the standard. The compressive strengths, for clay bricks stabilized with 5% cement and for laterite bricks with 0% sand added, are all greater than 2 MPa and therefore are acceptable. In addition, clay bricks with 20% sand and stabilized with 5% cement are recommended because they have the most optimal physico-mechanical properties.

Structural Properties of Baked Clay Bricks Fired with Alternate Fuels

Coal is used as a traditional fuel for firing of clay bricks in kilns. The cost of coal is high and is increasing continuously. This paper describes the effect of alternate fuels on compressive strength, water absorption and density of fired clay bricks. The alternate fuels used in this study were 1) rapeseed husk (Type I), 2) combination of sugarcane-bagasse, rice husk and used clothes (Type II) and 3) coal (Type III). The results show that compressive strength of bricks fired using Type I and Type II fuels was decreased to 11% and 7%, respectively, compared to those fired with coal. However, the values of water absorption and density of bricks fired with Type I and Type II fuels were almost same as exhibited by those baked with coal. This study shows that a saving of 25%, and 18% could be achieved when the bricks were fired using Type I and Type II fuels, respectively, compared to those fired with coal.

Thermo-Mechanical Properties Study of Stabilized Soil Bricks to Sugar Cane Molasses and Cassava Starch Binders

The current study deals Swith thermo-mechanical properties of stabilized soil small bricks with the help of organic binders of sugar cane molasses and cassava starch. Different formulations of soil concrete have been suggested after the geotechnical characterization of samples of soil was taken. From these, it arises that the studied soil is the most plastically clay (of type A3) according to GTR classification. Samples made of small bricks and measured out at 4%, 6% and 8% of binders (molasses, starch or molasses + starch) have been warmed up to different temperatures (100°C, 150°C, 200°C and 250°C) for the rising of the thermic behavior under different conditions and submitted to crushing testings for the estimation of characteristic resistances to the compression. According to the mechanical behavior, we note an improvement of resistances for small bricks measured 4%, 6% and 8%, of molasses respectively of 32.44%, 32.06% and 23.43% against the value of reference for small bricks without molasses. In the same way, the binder (molasses + starch) also reveals an improvement of resistance to the compression of 13.27%, 26.17% and 26.17%. On the contrary, the stabilization with the starch binder did not bring a significative improvement. According to the thermic influence, the heating at 100°C of stabilized small bricks at 4%, 6% and 8% of molasses, reveals a significative improvement of resistances. Moreover, the stabilization with the starch reveals on the contrary a good behavior for heatings at 150°C and 250°C. In short, for the binder (molasses + starch), it is the heating at 200°C that shows some improvements of remarkable resistances. Different analyses of realized statistics also show the effectivity of obtained results. For all realized formulations, the measuring out at 6% of binders (molasses, or molasses + starch) seems as optimal in front of the best thermo-mechanical revealed properties.

Thermal Properties of Earth Bricks Stabilised with Cement and Sawdust Residue Using the Asymmetrical Hot-Plane Method

This paper presents an experimental study of the characterisation of local materials used in the construction and thermal insulation of buildings. These materials are compressed earth bricks stabilised with cement and sawdust. The thermal conductivity, diffusivity, effusivity, and specific heat of earth-based materials containing cement or sawdust have been determined. The results show that the blocks with earth + sawdust are better thermal insulators than the blocks with simple earth. We observe an improvement in thermal efficiency depending on the presence of sawdust or cement stabilisers. For cement stabilisation, the thermal conductivity increases (λ: 1.04 to 1.36 W·m-1·K-1), the diffusivity increases (from 4.32 × 10-7 to 9.82 × 10-7 m2·s-1), and the effusivity decreases (1404 - 1096 J·m-2·K-1·s-1/2). For sawdust stabilisation, the thermal conductivity decreases (λ: 1.04 to 0.64 W·m-1·K-1), the diffusivity increases (from 4.32 × 10-7 to 5.9 × 10-7 m2·s-1), and the effusivity decreases (1404 - 906 J·m-2·K-1·s-1/2). Improving the structural and thermal efficiency of BTC via stabilisation with derived binders or cement is beneficial for the load-bearing capacity and thermal performance of buildings.

Mechanical and Frost-resistance Properties of Rural Area Building Waste Hollow Bricks

Serving as recycled coarse aggregate,the pretreated rural building waste was added into the concrete hollow bricks in the varying replacement of 0,20%,40%,60%,80% and 100%.By testing its compressive strength,flexural strength,mass and strength loss after freeze-thaw cycles,the impact of the different replacement on mechanical and frost-resistance properties of concrete hollow bricks was presented through SEM analysis.The experimental results show that,with the increase in recycled coarse aggregate replacement rate,the mechanical and frost-resistance properties show a downward trend;when the replacement rate is 40%,28 d compressive strength and flexural strength of concrete hollow brick demonstrate the good peak value which meet the requirement of the national standard for ordinary small concrete hollow bricks;the interfacial structures of the pretreated recycled concrete is more complicated than those of concrete made of natural aggregate,but the former enjoys better interface bonding and tight structure.

Physico-Mechanical Properties of Bio-Based Bricks

The aim of this work is to improve the high performance of mud bricks. The latter was reinforced with rice straws as stabiliser leading to an improvement of the physico-mechanical properties. Thus, the physical characteristics of the clay such as natural water content, density, atterberg limit, plasticity limit (Wp) and plasticity index (Ip) were determined. Their values are respectively 8.39%, 2025.73 Kg/m3, 47.66%, 29.75% and 17.91%. The clay used is a low plastic organic silt. The normal proctocol provided an optimum dry density (ɣOP) of 1.28 Kg/m3 at an optimum moisture content of 12.42%. The actual density of the straw is 464 Kg/m3, its absorption rate reached 206% in 5 mins and stabilised at 385% at 480 mins of immersion. The maximum bending and compression strengths are respectively 1.52 and 0.164 MPa. The mud brick absorption coefficients obtained are between 4.875 at 0% straw and 20.573% at 3% straw.

Physicochemical Characterization and Valorization of Clay from Lobo and Ngoya in Cameroon Central Region

Two samples clayed materials, LO and NG from central region in Cameroon were characterized for their valorization in the manufacture of refractory bricks and ceramics. In order to assess the technological properties of these clays, cooking tests were carried out on the test specimens at different temperatures. From particle size analysis, clayed materials studied have a spreading particle size and their plasticity index is between 18 and 47. The mineralogical study reveals the presence of Quartz, illite, kaolin, hematite and feldspars. High level of silica content explains the sandy nature of these clays. Linear shrinkage and density increase with temperature while compressive strength decreases with temperature. Analyses performed on the ceramic specimens after firing show that clay materials studied are suitable for the manufacture of refractory bricks.

Impact of pH Water and Mineralogical Microstructure of Soil Mixed with Wood Waste on the Compressive Strength of Composite Bricks;and Bricks Resistance Modeling

This study includes the manufacture of cement stabilized clay bricks with embedded mahogany chips. The impact of this waste and its interaction with water in the bricks was evaluated on the mechanical properties. The compressive strength tests using a universal press were carried out on bricks with and without adding wood chips. The results obtained show that the incorporation of wood chips into the bricks decreases the compressive strength. This reduction in compressive strength led us to conduct an analysis of clay and water as intrinsic factors, before and after incorporation of untreated wood waste. Thus, a mineralogical analysis of the clay with and without mahogany chips was made using an X-ray diffractometer, using an anticathode of cobalt with the line Κα, of wavelength λ = 1789&#197. After quantification of the mineral constituents, it is noted that the concentration of SiO2 decreases considerably in the clay with addition of wood chips, resulting in the reduction of the compressive strength in these composite materials (from Rc = 9.26 MPa at 0% of chips to 3.55 MPa at 8%). A mathematical model following the interpolations of Lagrange was then proposed. The analysis of the water resulting from the impregnation of dry wood chips in the water, shows that the water becomes strongly acid (pH = 4.3 at the 7th day of immersion), thus contributing to the reduction of resistance. This analysis of intrinsic factors will allow future studies to take into account the treatment of wood waste by different processes in order to increase the mechanical, thermal and acoustic properties of composite bricks with the same contents, thus generating massive support for the use of its composite materials.

Effect of Wood Waste on Acoustic and Magnetic Properties of Composite Bricks and Correlation between Sound Velocity and Magnetic Induction in These Bricks

In the present study, kambala (botanical name: Chlorophora excelsa and Chlorophora regia) wood wastes were incorporated into stabilized earth bricks in order to test their acoustic insulation capacity of the walls;leading to better waste management from the timber industry. Two methods have been applied to determine the influence of the wood waste content in the stabilized earth bricks, on the weakening of the level of noise reception coming from the environmental medium, in an apartment built with composite bricks (earth + wood chips + cement). This influence has also been analyzed on the magnetic field induced by these bricks. The results showed that the level of sound reception through these bricks decreases with increasing wood waste content regardless of the method used (from 110 dB to 68 dB, respectively for Φb = 0% and Φb = 8%). The kambala wood waste in cement-stabilized clay bricks induces a magnetic field that increases with the wood waste content;the high contents of the wood chips causing an increase in the magnetic permeability of the composite medium. The correlation between the noise level and the magnetic field of the bricks shows that the noise level declines with increasing magnetic induction of the bricks.

Thermal Conductivity of Compressed Earth Bricks Strengthening by Shea Butter Wastes with Cement

Currently, in a context of sustainable development, the economic and environmental challenges incite, to valorize local materials such as clays and agro-industrial waste. It is in this approach that a new category of compressed earth bricks (BTC) stabilized with shea meal (TK) and cement was proposed. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of shea meal rate on the thermal conductivity properties of cement stabilized earth bricks. A lateritic clay (Lat) mainly composed of kaolinite (38.44%), quartz (24.94%), goethite (12.28%), hematite (4.44%) and illite (19.9%) was used to make bricks. Different mix designs made up of lateritic clay and 5% cement were studied. The shea meal is added as a partial lateritic clay replacement in different proportions. The thermal conductivity was determined by hot disk method and correlated to both porosity and density of elaborated materials. The results obtained show that the thermal conductivity and density of bricks decrease respectively from 0.72 W·m-1·K-1 to 0.52 W·m-1·K-1 and from 2.77 g·cm-3 to 2.52 g·cm-3. The presence of shea meal within the material generates pore formation, which may partly explain the improvement of the thermal insulation properties. A positive correlation was noted between density and thermal conductivity of these materials.