Physical changes of low quality of clay bricks due to sandy-soil mixture under combustion performance

Abstract

This research studies the physical properties of the low quality of bricks mixed with sandy -soil in home industries located in Gunung Sarik of Padang City. The ratio mixture of the brick making material in the home industries was not measured with the proper measurement; as a result the quality of the brick was poor. The research used 5 x 5 x 5 cm and 180 cubes of bricks to see the physical changes. The ratio of mixed materials between sandy soil and clay are 0.11.025, 0.43,0.67,1.0, and 1.50. The procedure for making bricks was the same as a factory without changing the factory method. The process of burning bricks for three days and two nights using wood. From the test results, the density of the bricks did not change significantly between direct and indirect fire exposure but decreased in proportion to the addition of sandy soil. The addition of sandy soil reduces the percentage of damage and physical changes. The acceptable ratio of sandy -soil mixture is a range of 0.43.-0.6.