Termite Mound Soils for Sustainable Production of Bricks

Abstract

The article presents the alternative use of termite mound soils (TMSs) as full replacement for clay soils in brick production. TMSs from two localities, Jawaj and Sene, in Ethiopia were investigated for bricks production. The TMSs samples contained high SiO2 and Al2O3. The TMSs bricks were fired at different temperatures from 500 to 1,000°C. The obtained mean compressive strengths (σ), 18 and 14 MPa, were observed for bricks made from TMSs from Jawaj and Sene, respectively, at the optimum firing temperature of 700°C. The σ of TMSs bricks decreased as the firing temperature increased above 700°C, while for conventional clay soil brick, the σ increased with temperature beyond 700°C. The water absorptions and saturation coefficients of fired TMSs bricks decreased with increased firing temperature. The TMSs bricks meet the standard specification of dimension tolerance only along the height. All the TMSs bricks made from the two localities were not efflorescent. TMSs from Jawaj and Sene sites can be used as a raw material to replace the long-used clay soils for bricks production as a construction material for houses construction in rural and urban areas.

Keywords

• compressive strengths
• chemical composition
• firing temperature
• sustainable production
• termite mound soil