Characterization of Clay Materials and Performance Evaluation of Fired Clay Composites Made for Low-Cost Housing

Abstract

This study deals with the physico-chemical, mineralogical and geotechnical characterization of alluvial clays from Batchenga in Cameroon with a view to their use as building materials for housing. The alluvial clay (Arg.All) was collected in the locality of Batchenga at the village Natchigal (4˚20'40''N and 11˚37'40''E at 378 m altitude) and was fired between 900˚C and 1100˚C. Characterization was performed by XRD, XRF, DTA/DTG, and firing tests. XRD, XRF, DTA/DTG infrared analysis methods were performed on these clays. The linear shrinkage, mechanical strengths, water absorption, porosity and density were measured on the fired products. The results obtained show that the major oxides are for the Arg.Lat SiO 2 (72.13%), Al 2 O 3 (14.1%), Fe 2 O 3 (4.45%) and for the Arg.All: SiO 2 (48.91%), Al 2 O 3 (23.79%), Fe 2 O 3 (9.54%). The fired products based on alluvial clay, present the flexural strength of 4.45 MPa at 900˚C and 6.80 MPa at 1100˚C. As for those based on lateritic clay, the flexural strength is 0.53 and 0.76 MPa respectively at 900 and 1100˚C. The porosity is 33.69% at 900˚C and 22.93% at 1100˚C for the alluvial clay and 39.55% at 900˚C and 36.01% for the lateritic clay at 1100˚C. Water absorption is 18% to 11.16% for alluvial clay and 22.43% to 21.16% for lateritic clay at 900˚C and 1100˚C respectively. These results suggest that alluvial clay and its firing products have better physico-chemical, geotechnical and mechanical characteristics regardless of the firing temperature of the manufactured products. The addition of degreaser is recommended to improve the mechanical performance of lateritic clay.