Applicable Fine Stream Sediments from Upper Chi River Produced Fired Clay Bricks

Abstract

Stream sediments from the upper Chi River basin, including Chi and Nam Phong sub-watershed, are applicable to be a source of raw materials to produce fired clay bricks. The sampling locations of clay materials are generally found along the river terrace where are covering three different regions (upper-, mid-and lower sub-watershed) nearby brickyards. Quartz is the main mineral of all samples. Moreover, mainly clay mineral groups consist of mica, kaolinite, and chlorite group composing totally around 5%. Other mineral compositions, such as carbonate, evaporite, corundum, hematite and pyrolusite are normally found both in fine stream sediments and fired clay bricks. Additional minerals in fired bricks are forsterite, zircon and mullite group which are less than 0.2%. Their strength in submersion test expressed in the air-dried to pure water both 1 day and 5 days is revealed that their strength and strain intend to increase with the submersed brick. Besides, prism compressive strength decreases in half related to a fired brick unit. Their impact resistances are significantly distinctive by mineral composition of clay mineral group and silica. The compressive strength of air-dried fired brick at the ultimate stress and strain corresponding by time in water absorption test show that water filled in void or pore can enhance their strength and strain. Thus, fired clay bricks are capable to resist compressive force than the normal condition.