Sun dried clay brick is also known as adobe blocks. sun-dried clay bricks are a traditional building material that has been used for a very long time. These bricks are made from clay which is given the required shape and dried naturally in the sun, without using high-temperature firing processes.
Due to this reason, sun dried clay brick are an environmentally friendly and cost-effective construction option for construction.
Sun dried clay brick Manufacturing Process
The process of making sun dried clay brick are given below,
Step 1:- First of all, suitable clay for brick is extracted from natural deposits or obtained from specific places.
Step 2:- After that clay is mixed thoroughly to make it a homogeneous mixture.
Step 3:- Now, the mixed clay is cast in a mold made of wood or metal to get the proper shape and size of bricks. The mold may be rectangular or square depending upon the requirement of structure.
Step 4:- Then the mould with clay are carefully taken out, arranged in rows or stacked and left in sun heat to allow dry naturally for a few week or months till sufficiently dried and hardened.
Step 5:- Finally, the completely sun-dried clay brick are taken out from mould and forwarded for construction of different structures like walls, columns, patio surfaces,s, etc.
Who used sun-dried bricks?
Sun dried clay brick was used by ancient people since there was no advanced technology. They are especially used in dry regions such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, North Africa, South America, and also in some parts of Asia.
Clay in these regions was a valuable and accessible building material due to its availability and climate-friendly to sun-drying.
Advantages of sun dried blocks / Sun dried clay brick
The advantages of Sun-dried bricks are given below.
a) Cost-effective: The complete construction system of sun-dried bricks is very simple and does not require expensive equipment, high energy usage, and highly skilled manpower. This makes bricks more cost-effective.
b) Eco-friendly: Sun-dried bricks are sustainable because they do not require high-temperature firing, which helps to reduce the amount of energy and carbon emissions to the environment. So, they are considered eco-friendly construction materials.
c) Insulation against heat: Sun-dried bricks are insulation against heat and help to keep the interiors of structures cool in hot climates and warm in cold climates.
What type of building material are sun-dried clay bricks made of?
Sun dried clay brick is used in construction for making both load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls.
Depending on the particular requirements of the construction, additional materials such as straw or wood may be used to further strengthen them.
What differentiates burnt bricks from sun-dried bricks?
The manufacturing process and resulting properties are completely different between burnt bricks and sun-dried bricks. Here, I have described some major differences below.
a) Method of Production:
Fired bricks are dried in high-temperature with the help of kiln firing, which vitrifies the clay particles making the bricks harder and more durable. But sun-dried bricks are naturally dried completely under the sun without any extra artificial heat.
b) Durability and toughness:
Red bricks are dried under a high-temperature firing process, increasing the compressive strength and weathering capacity of the bricks. As a result, fired bricks are generally stronger and more durable than sun-dried bricks.
c) Water-resistant:
Sun-dried bricks are more porous and less water-resistant than fire bricks. So, fire bricks are more suitable for humid or wet climates.
d) Appearance:
Fired bricks have smoother, uniform surfaces and a wider range of colors but sun-dried bricks generally have a more organic and rustic appearance.
e) Applications in construction:
Burnt bricks are widely used in different types of buildings, including high-rise buildings, commercial structures, and engineered construction, while sun-dried bricks are generally used in low-rise buildings up to 1st-floor buildings, and non-engineered structures.
f) Manufacturing Time:
Sun-dried bricks generally take more time to manufacture from start to end. The drying process of sun-dried brick can take weeks or months completely.
On the other hand, burnt bricks are easily available and take a few days to be prepared completely.
g) Maintenance:
Sun-dried bricks require more maintenance than fired bricks because they are more vulnerable to water damage, weathering, and erosion. Sun dried clay brick need proper maintenance to remain workable for a long time.
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