Influence of Grog and Cement on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Unfired Clay Bricks

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of red clay, grog and cement content (5,10,15,20%) on unfired clay brick’s properties. The comparative properties of construction bricks produced by the community fulfilled the requirements of Thai industrial standard (TIS 77-2545) for brick processing in Small and Micro Community Enterprise of Clay Brick Making Group in Son Bun Reung village. The physical and mechanical properties were tested consisting of the volume shrinkage, bulk density, appearance porosity, moisture expansion, slaking, compressive and fractural strength. The result showed that physical-mechanical properties were improved by the addition of cement. The unfired clay brick consisting of 100% grog and 20% cement had 4.5% shrinkage value. The bulk density and appearance porosity were 1.77 g/cm2 and 3.5%, respectively. The fractural strength of unfired clay bricks was 41.2 kg/cm2. The compressive strength of unfired clay bricks was 282.4 kg/cm2. The clay bricks were not slaking.