Relation between Compressive Strength of Baked Clay Cubes and Cylinders

Nawab Ali Lakho,Muhammad Auchar Zardari

doi:10.4236/eng.2016.88047

Nawab Ali Lakho, Muhammad Auchar Zardari

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/eng.2016.88047

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Abstract

Reinforced Baked Clay (RBC) seems to be potential alternative of Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) for construction of low cost houses. In order to utilize RBC as a construction material for buildings, it is necessary to understand compression behaviour of baked clay. In this paper, relation between cube crushing strength and cylinder strength of baked clay is presented. For this purpose, clay beams were cast in a mould and compacted at a pressure of 6 MPa. The clay beams were dried and fired in a kiln at a temperature of 900?C. Cubes of 150 mm size were sawed from a baked clay beam. Cylinders of 150 mm diameter and 300 mm height were cut, from another baked clay beam, using core cutter machine. Both the cubes and cylinders were tested for compressive strength in Universal Testing Machine. The results showed that the cube crushing strength of baked clay was 25 MPa and the ratio of the compressive strength of the cylinders and the cubes was found to be 0.6. Suggestions for improvement of compressive strength of baked clay cylinders are also discussed.

Highlights

Uncontrolled population growth in Pakistan has resulted in tremendous shortfall in housing units [1]
In order to formulate the codes for use of Reinforced Baked Clay (RBC) as a construction material in buildings, it is necessary to investigate the compressive strength of baked clay cylinders and find its relation with corresponding compressive strength of baked clay cubes
This implies that compression behaviour of baked clay cubes is as good as normal concrete

Summary

Introduction

Uncontrolled population growth in Pakistan has resulted in tremendous shortfall in housing units [1] This problem is aggravated due to increase in cost of traditional materials of building construction, i.e., aggregates, cement and steel. The proposed idea is to utilize Reinforced Baked Clay (RBC) as a substitute of Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) for construction of low cost houses. Compressive strength of concrete is determined by testing standard size cubes or cylinders. In order to formulate the codes for use of RBC as a construction material in buildings, it is necessary to investigate the compressive strength of baked clay cylinders and find its relation with corresponding compressive strength of baked clay cubes. This study was conducted to determine the relation between cube crushing strength and compressive strength of baked clay cylinders

Preparation of Clay and Pit Sand Mixture

Casting of Baked Clay Beams

Testing Programme

Compressive Strength of Baked Clay Cubes

Compressive Strength of Baked Clay Cylinders

Conclusions